On 8th July 2025, Stuart Anderson MP met with leaders from NHS Dentistry in Parliament to discuss challenges facing dental care in rural areas. A key focus of the meeting was the delivery of an extra 700,000 urgent dental appointments by March 2026.
Stuart emphasised the need to improve access to dental care for patients in rural areas, after it emerged that 1 in 4 patients who tried to see an NHS dentist in the past 2 years were unable to do so.
Stuart has said that urgent action must be taken to ensure that rural areas do not became 'dental deserts' - areas in which residents struggle to find NHS dentists.
As of March 2024 in Shropshire, 37.3% of adults had seen a dentist in the last two years. This is below the national average, which stands at 40.3% of adults in England.
Stuart has taken the issue up with Care Minister Stephen Kinnock MP, who stated:
"We know that certain areas of the country are experiencing NHS dentistry recruitment and retention issues, and we are taking steps to address these workforce challenges."
Shropshire has secured an extra 7,408 urgent care appointments to provide faster and easier access to dental care for residents who are most in need.
A Dental Training Centre of Excellence has been established in Ludlow. A full-time clinical supervisor at the {my}dentist® practice mentors up to three candidates so that they can join the National Performers List.
The Government has also launched a survey to inform the NHS dental contract reform. Stuart has encouraged local dentists to respond to this consultation before the deadline on 19th August 2025.
In February 2024, the last government published a Dental Recovery Plan with several measures implemented over the subsequent months to improve access to NHS dentistry across England.
This included deploying dental vans in under-served areas, particularly rural and coastal communities. However, Ministers have not proceeded with proposals for procuring and implementing dental vans.
Ministers have stated: "The decision about whether to commission dental vans should be made locally by integrated care boards." Stuart has asked for the decision to be reviewed, since they could benefit rural areas like South Shropshire.
Stuart's meeting with NHS dentistry leaders demonstrates his commitment to ensuring that residents in South Shropshire receive the dental care they need. It is part of his plan to enhance public services in South Shropshire.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"The health and wellbeing of my constituents is a top priority of mine. So, I was pleased to meet with leaders from NHS Dentistry in Parliament. I emphasised the importance of improving access for patients in rural areas. I am concerned that one in four patients who tried to see an NHS dentist in the past two years were unable to do so. Urgent action is needed to ensure that rural areas do not become dental deserts' in which residents struggle to find and access NHS dentists. I am surprised that Ministers have decided not to proceed with the proposals for procuring and implementing dental vans. I believe that this decision on should be reviewed because mobile dental vans could benefit rural areas. I am clear that much more needs to be done to ensure fast and fair access to dental care in South Shropshire. The Government has also launched a survey to inform the NHS dental contract reform. I encourage local dentists to take part and have their say on the reforms."
The Government has encouraged anyone who cannot access an NHS dentist and requires urgent dental treatment to contact NHS urgent care services online at 111.nhs.uk, by using the NHS app or by calling NHS 111.
