New figures show fall in NHS Dentist registration in Kingston & across London

7.2.05

The number of people in Kingston and London registered with a NHS dentist is plummeting, according to new figures released by Kingston & Surbiton MP, Edward Davey, and the London Liberal Democrats.

The new figures, taken from Parliamentary answers, show that only around 33% of adults and under 50% of all children across the capital are registered with an NHS dentist. Every Primary Care Trust (PCT) in London has recorded fewer adults registered with NHS dentists than in 1997, with only 3 London Authorities recording an increase in the number of children registering with an NHS dentist.

Commenting, Edward Davey, Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton, said

"How can the Government claim that the crisis in NHS dentistry is being solved when the evidence across London shows quite the opposite? This is a kick in the teeth for people across the country who cannot get registered at their local NHS dentist surgery.

"In Kingston there are 12.5 per cent fewer adults registered with an NHS dentist in 2004 than there were in 1997, and 11.6 per cent fewer children registered. This shows that free NHS dental care is fast becoming a myth.

"I have already raised this in Westminster when Hook’s Bridge Road Dental Practice recently announced they would no longer be taking on NHS patients from this month.

"Yet these new figures reveal the crisis in NHS dentistry across London. I will continue to press the Government on this. Something needs to be done to reverse this dangerous trend."

"With so few dentists accepting NHS patients it is little wonder that the levels of people registering with the NHS are so low. As NHS dental cover declines so too does dental health.

"The Government must get to grips with the crisis in dental care. Every patient deserves to be able to register with a local NHS dentist, not to have to journey miles and miles in search of service."