Dentist Rishi Sunak visited to promote 'recovery plan' not taking NHS

[ad_1]

The dentist Rishi Sunak visited in Cornwall to promote his “recovery plan” is not accepting new NHS patients, it has emerged.

The prime minister met staff and patients at Gentle Dental in Newquay on Thursday.

Politics Live: Starmer ditches his ‘biggest dividing line’ with Tories

He told broadcasters that “it hasn’t been easy enough for people to access NHS dentistry over the past couple of years” but claimed “the announcements this week will make a significant difference, and quickly”.

“It’s a very significant new investment in dentistry so that everyone can get the access that they need,” Mr Sunak said.

But the practice’s website states that it is not taking on new adult NHS patients or those entitled to free dental care.

Eddie Crouch, the chair of the British Dental Association (BDA), said: “Rishi Sunak is seeing what life is like for millions across this country. The difference is he has options.”

The BDA has been critical of Mr Sunak’s “dental recovery plan”, saying it is “unworthy of the title” and “not new money”.

The £200m package of measures, unveiled on Wednesday, will see dentists offered cash to accept new NHS patients and given £20,000 “golden hellos” to work in under-served communities.

Mobile dental teams will also be deployed to schools in under-served areas to give 165,000 children preventative fluoride varnish treatments to strengthen their teeth and prevent decay.

But leading dentists said the recovery package will not be enough to help people struggling to access dental care.