This week in Parliament I asked the minister responsible for dentistry to outline what he is doing to ensure that all children in Weston and across the country can get access to the vital dentistry services that they so desperately need - writes Daniel Aldridge, MP for Weston-super-Mare.

I was pleased to hear his response that included a programme of supervised tooth brushing for 3-5 year olds in the most deprived communities and that the government continues to sort the NHS contract so that everyone can access services.

I am determined to make things better for our children and our patients, and I will continue to keep the pressure on the authorities to make the improvements needed, as fast as possible.

During the election campaign, we talked a lot about the dire state of NHS dentistry in Weston, but also across the country.

Millions of people are unable to get the appointments they need and one in 10 are even attempting their own DIY dentistry.

42,000 children went to hospital to have teeth removed in 2021/22 and tooth decay is the most common reason for children aged 6-10 to be admitted to hospital.

As the MP for Weston-super-Mare, I've received many emails and letters from people desperate for access to an NHS dentist.

We've helped many to get a dentist or emergency treatment, but the difficult reality is that NHS dentistry is in crisis and will need a period of stabilisation and investment.

Fixing this crisis is essential if we're to get our society back to health.

According to the School and Public Health Nurses Association and the British Dental Association (BDA), sixty-five per cent of health practitioners reported children’s health had got worse because of hunger and poor nutrition.

Almost one third of respondents (28 per cent) said that children were experiencing an increase in the incidence or severity of health problems to a large extent.

In North Somerset alone, 22 per cent of 5-year-olds have visible tooth decay and this is significantly skewed – up to three times more – in areas of Weston and Worle.

Sadly, those who develop tooth decay in our constituency will experience it across 4 teeth whereas those in North Somerset will experience it across an average of 2.8 teeth.

The link between deprivation and tooth decay is clear – children living in lower-income areas are more than twice as likely to have tooth decay than those from richer areas.

Poor oral health is not something we can ignore and should not trivialise.

It can lead to persistent pain, infections, disturbed sleep and eating patterns, poor school attendance, decreased wellbeing and even hospitalisation.

All of this is why we moved fast as a Government to make sure we stabilised the situation, preventing any further neglect of the service and get more appointments to towns like Weston and Worle.

During last week’s Parliamentary debate on NHS dentistry, the Minister responsible for dentistry, Stephen Kinnock MP made it clear that this government will fix the crisis, provide 700,000 extra appointments, reform the dental contract to support dentists to deliver more and better care and preventing tooth decay in young children.

In Weston I've met twice with the leadership of the Integrated Care Board (ICB), the part of the NHS responsible for NHS dentistry in Weston to push for increased capacity and I'm pleased that the ICB very much see Weston as a priority area in the region, meaning more appointments and support.

In the new year, we will be organising a Dental Summit with the ICB and all local dental practices – this will give everyone the opportunity to discuss dentistry in our town and create a local plan.

I've also met with Better Health North Somerset to hear what they are doing at a local level, in schools and among communities to help children and families get back into the habit of brushing regularly, reducing sugar and where possible, seeing a dentist regularly.

This may sound like common sense, but the evidence shows us that these oral health fundamentals have been slipping, with more and more children attending school with serious tooth decay.

I also raised the great work of Better Health North Somerset and the wider work supported by the local authorities and charities across our town in the NHS dentistry in the South West Westminster Hall Debate last week too.

I will continue to keep up the pressure on those making the decisions, so the people of Weston and Worle can get the treatment we all need and deserve.

In the meantime, if you aren't able to access an NHS dentist, call 111 in the first instance.

If you are still struggling to get the help you need, you can get in touch with my team on daniel.aldridge.mp@parliament.uk and we will try to help.

You can keep up to date with what I'm up to on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/WSJQViEzfkzn9FQN/H