To: UK Government
NHS dental care should be available for one and all.
Dentists have abandoned NHS treatment, in favour of private work, because the NHS fees they receive fell too low. The Government simply needs to fund proper fees for dentists.
Why is this important?
I moved to Cornwall when I retired, and fortunately have an NHS dentist in London who I still see.
This means a £100 return train journey for each appointment, which is difficult for me but not impossible.
Many Cornish folk are not so fortunate. I recently spoke to a nurse at West Cornwall Hospital who couldn't find an NHS dentist and, as a result, had lost three teeth.
The daughter of a neighbour of mine was receiving ongoing treatment until she turned eighteen, at which point her mother received a letter from their dentist saying the family could no longer be treated on the NHS.
Private dental treatment can only be afforded by the few.
This dire state of affairs in Cornwall is totally avoidable. Many of life's problems are difficult to solve, but this just requires proper funding.
Health care matters every bit as much as education, housing or defence.
This means a £100 return train journey for each appointment, which is difficult for me but not impossible.
Many Cornish folk are not so fortunate. I recently spoke to a nurse at West Cornwall Hospital who couldn't find an NHS dentist and, as a result, had lost three teeth.
The daughter of a neighbour of mine was receiving ongoing treatment until she turned eighteen, at which point her mother received a letter from their dentist saying the family could no longer be treated on the NHS.
Private dental treatment can only be afforded by the few.
This dire state of affairs in Cornwall is totally avoidable. Many of life's problems are difficult to solve, but this just requires proper funding.
Health care matters every bit as much as education, housing or defence.
