Blair admits Labour failure over NHS Dentist Promise

1.03.18pm GMT Fri 14th Jan 2005

A Liberal Democrat Survey has revealed NHS dental care in England is in crises and that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are one of the worst areas.

England's disappearing dental coverage has seen the number of adults registered with an NHS dentist fall from over 51% in 1997 to just 38.8% today. During the same period the number of children registered with NHS dentists has fallen from nearly 66% to below 55%.

In the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight area, only one in three adults are registered with a NHS dentist and with fewer NHS dentist available this situation could well get worse.

Steve Sollitt, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Southampton Test said "The Prime Minister has admitted in the Commons that this Labour government have failed to deliver on a promise made in 1999 that by 2001 anybody wishing to access NHS dental provision would be able to do so."

"Given that across our area only one in three people are registered, the inaction of this government over the last five years is damaging the health of so many. This Government must get to grips with the crisis in dental care. Every patient deserves to be able to register with a local NHS dentist, not to have to journey miles and miles in search of service."