CAMPAIGNERS have written an open letter to Health Secretary Wes Streeting urging him to declare a dental emergency and use special authorities to address potentially life-threatening accessibility issues. 

Toothless in England, while welcoming Labour’s dental rescue plan, argues that it does “not go far enough” to address major issues such as access to basic oral care and restorative dental treatments.

The letter points out that there have been “extreme yet increasingly common consequences” that have led to preventable deaths, such as from untreated sepsis and undiagnosed mouth cancer. 

It said that children are being admitted into hospital to have decaying teeth extracted, and that cancer patients advised to get dental check-ups before treatment also risk further delays due to lack of accessibility. 

Toothless in England is demanding the government declare a dental emergency to instruct all practices to provide access to those needing emergency treatment, and to introduce a priority pathway for hospital referrals. 

The campaigners also suggest that integrated care boards procure mobile dental clinics to target vulnerable patients and underserved areas. 

According to the British Dental Association, the unmet need for NHS dentistry in England stands at a record high of 13 million. 

Labour has so far pledged an extra 700,000 urgent and emergency dental appointments, “golden hellos” for newly qualified dentistry graduates to encourage them to operate in “dental desert” areas, and the reform of the 2006 NHS dental contract, which was criticised as forcing dentists and dental practices out of NHS dentistry.

Toothless in England met with Mr Streeting earlier this year to discuss dental patients’ needs. 

Mr Streeting had promised to “follow up” and campaigners are now calling on him to honour that pledge.