MP calls for more NHS emergency dentists over reports of patients doing ‘DIY surgery’

Yvette Cooper said the chronic shortage of emergency appointments in her constituency had led to some people carrying out ‘DIY surgery’.

Ms Cooper said she had made urgent calls for more dental services following research by her office.

A survey of 11 dentists in Normanton, Knottingley, Pontefract and Castleford found none were taking on new NHS patients.

The Labour MP said: “Our local survey found no dentists in our area taking on new NHS patients.

“I’ve heard from so many constituents who are really struggling as a result – often in pain and facing real problems, and unable to afford private treatment.

“Some people have even been so desperate they are trying DIY dentistry, in one case trying to pull out a tooth with pliers as things had got so bad.”

The research also found some residents in Pontefract face waiting lists of more than two years to register with a local NHS dentist.

It also found half of children in the Five Towns area have not received a check-up from their dentist in the past 12 months.

The local MP has met with health chiefs to urge them to provide more appointments and emergency clinics.

She added: “After 14 years of Conservative neglect it has become completely impossible for many people to get NHS Dentistry in the Five Towns.

“It is shameful that tooth decay remains the number one reason for six to ten-year-olds being admitted to hospital.

“The government has completely failed to come up with a proper plan to address the crisis facing NHS dentistry.

“Too often people in our area tell me of their struggles to secure appointments.

“This and the horrific examples of DIY tooth removal are symptoms of a service in disarray.”

Labour has pledged to make 700,000 more urgent appointments available if it wins the general election.

In 2022, Wakefield Council called for a report into dental access across the district after claims that it has become a “desert of availability”.

Councillors voted in favour of a motion calling on the government to urgently reform NHS dental services.

Ms Cooper has also launched a survey asking for residents’ view on dental services at: https://yvettecooper.com/more-dentist-for-5-towns/