New figures show continued plight of Hounslow NHS dentistry

11.18.30pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 2nd Apr 2006

In the week that controversial new NHS dental contracts come into force across England and Wales, the Liberal Democrats have published figures showing that the number of people in Hounslow who are registered with an NHS dentist has already fallen by 15,958 since Labour came to power.

Answers to parliamentary questions tabled by Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Minister Sandra Gidley MP show that between 1997 and 2005 the number of adults registered with an NHS dentist in England decreased by 13 per cent. Figures provided to local Lib Dems by Ms Gidley reveal that Hounslow is among the areas hit, notably amongst the adult population. In the Hounslow primary care trust (PCT) area the number of adults registered with an NHS dentist has dropped by 16.58 per cent between 1997 and 2005. As Hounslow's population has risen significantly since 1997 it is likely these figures underestimate the problem.

Satnam Kaur Khalsa, Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson for Feltham & Heston, said:

"There is a growing decay in NHS dentistry provision, here in Hounslow and across the country. Things were bad when the Conservatives were in power. They have got worse under Labour, and they are set to get worse still.

"In 1999 Tony Blair promised that by 2001 everyone would have access to an NHS dentist. Not only has this not happened - the situation has actually worsened; in 2005, compared to 1997, there are now 15,958 more people not registered with an NHS dentist."

Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth, commented:

"The new dental contracts are not giving NHS dentists in Hounslow enough confidence to make a long-term commitment to the NHS. It is no wonder the dentists have lost faith in the Government as there was no consultation period for the new contract which many dentists received with only a month to go until the April deadline.

"Many dentists have also had to employ lawyers in order to understand the jargon within the contract and are extremely reluctant to sign something which they don't fully understand.

"The failure to increase registrations through this new contract is an indictment of Labour's failure to restore the NHS to what it should be: a universal, comprehensive service that provides ongoing health care to everyone who needs it."