New data reveals 88% of dental practices in Waltham Forest are taking on no new NHS patients
In a shocking investigation of dentistry services across the UK, new analysis by the BBC has found that 88% of dentistry practices in Waltham Forest are not accepting any new NHS patients.
Waltham Forest Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health & Social Care, Alex Lewis, has demanded a Health Minister comes to visit dentistry practices in Waltham Forest to see for themselves how dire the situation is.
Liberal Democrats are also calling for the Minister to meet with local people who have been forced to wait in agony for months due to a lack of NHS dentist appointments.
The figures were released alongside harrowing accounts of DIY dentistry as hard-working families and pensioners struggle to find the affordable care that they need.
The Liberal Democrats have accused the Government of “breaking” the dental system due to a lack of investment. The party have also called for new plans to be brought forward to recruit more local NHS dentists, so no matter where you live you know you can get the NHS dental care you need.
Responding to the figures, Waltham Forest Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health & Social Care, Alex Lewis, said:
“People in our area should know if they are in pain or face a health emergency that the NHS is there for them. Yet these scandalous figures prove NHS dentistry in Waltham Forest is, for many, now beyond breaking point.
“Our NHS dental system is broken because this Government has failed to stump up the cash. People are being forced to spend hundreds if not thousands of pounds on private dental care with some even resorting to DIY dentistry with a serious risk of causing themselves greater harm.
“The fault for this lies solely with the absent Conservative Government. They have done next to nothing to tackle this crisis. Liberal Democrats are demanding a Health Minister visits our area to meet with local dentists and patients to hear just how bad things are here.