This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Labour offers free dental check-ups for all
Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth has announced plans to provide free NHS dental check-ups for everyone in England.
The measures, which the British Dental Association have estimated will cost £450 million per year, are part of the party’s plans to focus on prevention and provide a truly universal NHS and moving towards providing dental services free at the point of use.
Scrapping band one dentistry charges will provide everyone with a free teeth MOT with their dentist, including checks for oral cancers, while also taking pressure off GPs and hospitals. Nearly one in five patients delay going to the dentist because they can’t afford to see one.
Approximately 380,000 patients with toothache are choosing to head to their GPs who cannot provide dental treatment, costing the NHS over £20 million a year. Roughly 135,000 patients per year are also estimated to attend A&E units with dental problems, at a cost of £18 million.
Ashworth said: “It’s shocking that so called ‘DIY Dentistry’ is becoming so common with people resorting to doing their own fillings and seriously risking their teeth deteriorating further. With 135,000 patients presenting at A&E with dental problems every year, it’s time we put prevention at the heart of our approach to dental health. People should not be risking their teeth because they can’t afford the care. With Labour, dental check-up fees will be scrapped as we help people live healthier lives.”
Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party, said: “Over half of adults and 40 per cent of children haven’t been to the dentist in the last year. If you don’t go to the dentist for check-ups, you end up storing up problems in the long term. Over 100,000 are admitted to hospital every year because of problems with their teeth.
“This is the first step towards making all dentistry services free of charge – part of our ambition to deliver free dentistry as part of a truly universally free health service. Dentists are often the people who detect oral cancers and other serious problems. We value all our dentists and dental nurses.”
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