North Devon MP launches taskforce to tackle dental crisis

North Devon MP Ian Roome has launched the North Devon Dental Steering Group to address NHS dentistry access issues and oral health inequalities in the region. The group brings together NHS dentists, representatives from the Integrated Care Board (ICB), local dental professionals, and other stakeholders to develop solutions for the area's dental care challenges.

Recent data revealed that 78,610 children in Devon have not seen an NHS dentist, prompting Mr Roome to call for urgent action. 

He described the initiative as a response to widespread concerns from residents struggling to access dental care.

“I’ve been inundated with stories of desperate patients who cannot find an NHS dentist in North Devon,” Mr Roome said. “This new group will be putting together a sort of emergency rescue plan to address the crisis head-on.”

The group will focus on measures to expand access to NHS dentistry, promote oral health in local schools, and reduce inequalities in dental care provision.

Mr Roome highlighted specific priorities, including fast-tracked dental care for cancer patients and training programmes at Petroc College to boost the number of dental professionals in the area.

“The North Devon Dental Steering Group will not just be another talking shop,” Mr Roome explained.

“That’s why I went into the meeting with key action points, including fast-tracked dental care for cancer patients, oral health promotion in schools, and dental training programs at Petroc College for students.”

“If we’re going to fix dentistry in North Devon, it’s going to take all of us working together. We need to urgently fix the local dental crisis we’ve inherited after years of the Conservative party’s disastrous management. It’s shocking that so many people in our community still can’t access an NHS dentist when they need one,” he added.