Ensuring dentistry remains a priority for the new Government
31 July 2024
By Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Denplan
Following the general election on 4 July, we now have a Labour Government with a large majority which is well-placed to drive forward their agenda - and this includes delivering on dentistry. At a time when all eyes are on the Government to deliver on key commitments, what happens next?
A new legislative chapter
The new Government have been quick to move ahead with their policy priorities. Since the election, the Government has commissioned Lord Ara Darzi to conduct an independent review of NHS services, including NHS dentistry to help inform the forthcoming 10-year plan to reform the NHS, reportedly due in Spring 2025.
While the recent King’s Speech setting out the new Government’s legislative agenda was very light on health and indeed dentistry, we have a strong steer on Labour’s commitments in this area from their manifesto.
This includes reform of the NHS dental contract, the introduction of supervised toothbrushing and the introduction of incentives for new dentists to tackle ‘dental deserts’. We have already seen strong interest in this area from the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, who on day one met with the British Dental Association to begin negotiations on the NHS dental contract. We also look forward to working with the new Minister responsible for dentistry, Stephen Kinnock, as he gets to grips with his portfolio.
We will likely continue to learn more concrete details about Labour’s plans over the coming months. The Chancellor’s first Budget on 30th October and Party conference season in the Autumn will be key opportunities in building shape to Labour’s legislative agenda and understand priorities for opposition parties.
Improvements in dentistry can help the new government deliver against their ambitions
The government has a long list of challenges to deliver against and there is a real opportunity to link the changes we need to see in dentistry to issues we know Labour are focused on.
We know that oral health is often overlooked in comparison to physical well-being despite its importance to patient outcomes. However, we have an opportunity to leverage the Government’s prevention agenda, showing how taking a preventative approach to dental care will help to relieve pressure on a hugely strained NHS and align with the Government’s drive for a 'prevention-first revolution' in health. And, Denplan's ongoing work to support children to learn about the importance of good oral health via the Brightbites programme is clearly supportive of Labour's pledge to establish a supervised tooth-brushing scheme for 3-5 year olds.
Secondly, sector-wide shortages of dentists, and not making the most of the wider dental team is impacting the workforce’s capacity to meet demand. With a renewed focus on service delivery and supporting the NHS workforce, alongside commitments to target dental recruitment in the areas that need them, we can support the conversation on leveraging the full dental workforce.
It is crucial that the Government hears from voices across the sector. This includes on the vital role of mixed and private practice over the coming weeks and months, so we can work with them to turn their commitment to ‘rebuild dentistry for the long term’ into tangible improvements for the sector and the nation’s oral health via innovative ideas and collaboration.
If supported through greater flexibility and making better use of the entire dental team, this mixed model of practice can serve as an ongoing solution to the crisis in NHS dentistry through enabling preventative approaches to care, in turn complementing the efforts of NHS dentists.
What’s next?
These are early days for the new government and there are still unknowns. For example, we look forward to hearing who will Chair and make up the new Health and Social Care Select Committee and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dentistry and Oral Health. These groups can play a significant role in holding the Government to account in delivering against their commitments.
We are already starting to see positive signs of activity, with ‘dentistry’ securing 30 mentions in Parliament in the first week of business and MPs already driving discussion around issues such as dental services in local areas and training.
Your role as a Denplan member
As one of Denplan's 6,600 member dentists ensuring accessible dental care, you have an opportunity to act as a powerful local advocate for dentistry to ensure this remains a priority at the top of the Government’s agenda. We know this is an issue that impacts people across the country, and by writing to your MP or speaking out on behalf of your local community we can drive engagement that highlights the need for national policy leadership on this issue. We remain committed to supporting you in your efforts in calling for policies that will have a tangible impact to ensure that our collective voice is driving tangible improvements in dental care across the country.