“Lack of funding, lack of ambition” Those are the words which Chair of the British Dental Association, Eddie Crouch, had to describe the Government’s approach to NHS dentistry when I spoke with him recently at Lib Dem conference.

An important one, for every dentist. Failure to stop these problems becoming emergencies is bad for our children, and is poor use of public money. Prevention pays for itself…

British Dental Association@thebda.bsky.social · 4d ago

"Both children and taxpayers are paying the price for the lack of political will to fix NHS dentistry," warns @eddiecrouch.bsky.social If you agree sign here👉 https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/fix-and-fund-nhs-dentistry-now

"Both children and taxpayers are paying the price for the lack of political will to fix NHS dentistry," warns @eddiecrouch.bsky.social If you agree sign here👉 https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/fix-and-fund-nhs-dentistry-now

This is the maths sinking Health Service dentistry in Northern Ireland. This is the funding gap the Executive have to fill. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/news/northern-ireland-scale-of-funding-gap-sinking-health-service-dentistry-confirmed/

Conference is wrapping up here in Brighton, but I've had another busy round of meetings on a number of issues impacting Ely and East Cambridgeshire residents such as railways, social housing, young carers, and access to banking. Here's some more of my highlights:

Great to stand with @alisonebennett.bsky.social MP to discuss the urgent need to fix the NHS dentistry crisis. In Mid Sussex and across the country, families are struggling to find a dentist accepting new patients. Time for real investment to rescue our local health services. @thebda.bsky.social

We need urgent action on NHS dentistry. An aim @tomgordonld.bsky.social MP shares and helped us get the conversation going in the Health Bill in Commons. @thebda.bsky.social

Thank you to @vikkislademp.bsky.social for challenging the budgets of ICBs and the grey areas of ring fenced spending .Pleasure to meet in Brighton today @conference.libdems.org.uk @thebda.bsky.social

Very productive talk with Baroness @carolinepidgeon.bsky.social agreed NHS dentistry can’t be overlooked in the Health Bill. Looking forward to working together towards proper investment in primary and dental preventative care. @thebda.bsky.social

Dental deserts in modern Britain are a shameful reality.No one should be left without access to basic dental care. It shouldn’t fall to charities to step in. Pleased to meet Baroness Pinnock @libdempeers.bsky.social to highlight why access to dental care must be taken seriously. @thebda.bsky.social

Thank you to @jessbrownfullermp.bsky.social for her support on pressing to solve issues for NHS dental patients across the country @thebda.bsky.social

Always lovely to meet up with @leylamoran.Sky.social tonight her speech about consensus work of the @CommonsHealth in supporting primary care provision @thebda.bsky.social

Good to speak to @clivejonesmp.bsky.social about the lack of budget for dental service expansion in areas of new housing and development @thebda.bsky.social

Thanks again @charlotte-cane-mp.bsky.social MP for helping bust the myths about NHS dentistry. Only complete contract reform and sustained funding can revive NHS dentistry. @thebda.bsky.social

It's an all too familiar story... 14,000 wannabe patients scrambling for a place. 70 phone call a day. It doesn't need to be this way. Sign this message to the PM https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/fix-and-fund-nhs-dentistry-now

Thank you to the over 1000 of you who signed my petition calling for more NHS dental appointments in Coastal Communities and a reform of the broken NHS Dental Contract. This week I presented my petition and pressed the government to use a flexible commissioning approach to meet patient needs.

The exodus from the NHS is still in motion. Following recent tweaks to the contract, 2/3 of dentists still plan to cut NHS work. Presenting evidence from our members to a new Government. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/news/an-exodus-still-in-motion-23-of-dentists-still-plan-to-cut-nhs-work/

Dentistry: you won’t find happier graduates. It’s testament to the quality of education delivered by our dental academics. The burnout & real challenges many face post-graduation are largely preventable, many the direct result of choices made by governments. www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Pleased to meet with new dental Minister James Frith, alongside @thebda.bsky.social’s @eddiecrouch.bsky.social and Martin Woodrow. I’ve worked for 40 years on the frontline in NHS dentistry. I believe it’s a service worth saving. We’ve agreed to work together to achieve that.

“Before the last election Labour told us the cavalry was coming," warns @shivpabary.bsky.social "The longer this profession is left to wait, the less of a service there will be left to save.” https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/dentists-nhs-dental-private-patients-37659827

"They may be registered in their own countries, but they're often not registered here, so they're actually carrying out dentistry illegally." The pop-ups pushing dental tourism in UK hotels are often operating on the wrong side of the law. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c770nr6736ko

We can’t end the dental crisis without enough academics to train the dentists of the future.  Pleasure to see you @rachaelmaskell.bsky.social continuing to speak up for the millions unable to access dental care & the dentists who against all odds continue to provide NHS care

As discussed with @matthewpatrick.bsky.social at our drop-in today, investment in dental academics is for the future of dentistry. Actions for Government: improve recruitment & retention, and give UK Dental Schools resources they need to train the dentists of tomorrow. @thebda.bsky.social

Useful to attend the BDA drop-in to discuss safeguarding dental training & future NHS dental workforce. As a firm supporter of the BDA and Co-chair of the APPG for Dentistry & Oral Health, I know how important this is for communities like the City of Durham, where dental deserts are a huge concern.

If UK governments don’t value today’s dental academics, there is simply no way of training tomorrow’s dentists. Training more dentists hinges on Ministers making the right calls here. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/news/dental-academia-can-we-train-the-next-generation-of-dentists/

"I nearly died. Don't do it." Patients can pay a high price to pay for cheap treatment, when they lose out on continuity of care, strong communication & clear rights of redress. https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/i-had-to-learn-how-to-walk-and-talk-again-after-going-to-turkey-for-cheap-teeth

I had to learn how to walk and talk again after going to Turkey for cheap teeth

Three months after a dental procedure in Turkey, Martyn collapsed and later had to undergo five brain surgeries and rele

itv.com

"People here have been patient for a very long time, but patience is no substitute for a dentist," says @richardfoordld.bsky.social 👏 If this service is going to have a future it will take real urgency and ambition... www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/2653033...

OPINION: NHS dentistry in Devon is as rare as hens’ teeth

It’s all-encompassing, and prevents us from thinking of much else.

midweekherald.co.uk

Well they've certainly got the alliteration covered... But all too often the missing pieces are continuity of care, strong communication and clear rights of redress. With dental tourism, patients need to understand the risks... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq63m88ymqro

❌BROKEN. ❌UNDERFUNDED. ❌DYING. Hundreds of dentists have already had their say on the state of NHS dentistry in England. Don't lose your chance. Just click here and give us 5 minutes👉 https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/NHScontract_2026

“Patients shouldn’t be lulled into thinking the latest gizmos will solve all their oral health problems," says @eddiecrouch.bsky.social "Big brands with high price tags are no substitute for a proper routine.” www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Dyson launches £420 toothbrush that films ‘live cleaning footage’ inside your mouth

James Dyson says ‘complete dental system’ will also include toothpaste and mouth rinse that each cost £8.50

theguardian.com