I welcome the additional funding for dentistry announced yesterday as a first step, having raised the lack of NHS dentistry in Bury St Edmunds and across Suffolk on a number of occasions, including just before Christmas at a meeting with the dentistry Minister.
This additional £50 million of funding will be targeted at those most in need of urgent dental treatment. The funding will secure up to 350,000 additional dental appointments for those suffering from urgent dental issues help them get the care they need. Children will be prioritised, as will people with learning disabilities, autism, or severe mental health problems.
The East of England will receive £5,7million of this funding. I have already asked West Suffolk CCG to bid for part of this money to target Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket.
Whilst the additional funding is very welcome news, I am aware that more needs to be done to ensure constituents can access NHS dental services. This includes a recruitment of more dental practitioners and dental nurses to open up additional NHS capacity at existing surgeries and ensure more provision can open up in Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket and across Suffolk.
I have gone on record in Parliament saying the dental contract needs revision and have been assured that contract reform is ongoing. I will continue to speak to all stakeholders, including Ministers to ensure this our area is prioritised.