Southwark hit by decaying NHS dentistry

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 4th Apr 2006

New government figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats reveal that the state of NHS dentistry in Southwark is declining faster than the national average.

The official figures show that the number of people registered with an NHS dentist in Southwark PCT has dropped by 12.3% since Labour came to power in 1997, compared to a drop of 10.8% nationally. For Southwark adults the figure is a massive 15.8%.

These figures come in the week that controversial new NHS dental contracts come into force across England and Wales.

Southwark Liberal Democrats have been contacted by residents who are virtually being turned away by their local dentists who are limiting NHS appointments to just a few hours a day, meaning the waiting lists are growing and growing.

Commenting, Cllr Denise Capstick, Southwark Lib Dem Executive Member for Health, said:

"There is a growing decay in NHS dentistry provision, here in Southwark and across the country. Things were bad when the Conservatives were in power, but they are getting even worse under Labour."

"The new dental contracts are not giving local NHS dentists enough confidence to make a long-term commitment to the NHS. It is no wonder they have lost faith in the Government when there was no consultation over these new contracts."

Cllr Richard Thomas, East Dulwich resident and Lib Dem candidate, added:

"Dentist after dentist in East Dulwich is now turning away NHS patients - with the latest example coming just this week.

"In 1999 Tony Blair promised that by 2001 everyone would have access to an NHS dentist. Not only has this not happened - the situation is actually getting worse.

"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, service available to everyone who needs it."