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Andrew StunellWorking hard for Bredbury, Compstall, Great Moor, Hawk Green, Hazel Grove, Heaviley, High Lane, Marple, Marple Bridge, Mellor, Offerton, Romiley, Rose Hill, Strines & Woodley since 1997 |
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SHARP RISE IN LOCAL TOOTH EXTRACTIONS HIGHLIGHTS THE DECAY OF NHS DENTISTRY
April 15, 2009 3:40 PM
Tooth extractions in Stockport have gone up by 60% since 2003, according to Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell.
A shortage of NHS dentists in the town is leading to fewer regular inspections and treatment and more extractions according to Mr Stunell.
The figures on tooth extractions in Stockport were given to the Liberal Democrats by the Department of Health in a recent Parliamentary Answer. They show that:
- 1,247 people had teeth extracted under general anaesthetic in 2007/08, an increase of 60% since 2003/04.
- Almost one in three [387] were children under the age of 18.
- 59 were children under the age of 5.
A survey carried out by the Liberal Democrats in December last year showed that only 9 out of 44 dental practices in Stockport were accepting new NHS patients, with waiting times varying from nine days to six weeks. 25,000 fewer people are registered with an NHS dentist in Stockport than when Labour came to power in 1997.
Now Mr Stunell is calling on the government to take action to halt the decay in NHS dentist provision in the area.
Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:
"There is a clear link between the poor access to NHS dentistry in the area and the extraordinary rise in the number of people needing their teeth extracted under general anaesthetic. Many people are unable to afford to go private and are simply missing out on regular treatment that would save these extractions.
"NHS dental provision for Stockport residents is in serious trouble. Many people have been struggling for a long time to find an NHS dentist, and despite the Primary Care Trust's efforts, the situation is worsening.
"In December, I warned that the lack of access to local NHS dentists could mean that fewer people would go to a dentist at all, with their dental hygiene suffering as a result. I'm disappointed these figures prove I was right.
"The government's dental contract was supposedly designed to improve the situation, but the staggering rise in tooth extractions underlines the failure of this botched initiative.
"Now we need Whitehall action to end the neglect of Stockport residents hit by the crisis in NHS dentistry."
ENDS
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