BDA calls for a better deal for dentistry, UK

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 31 Mar 2005 - 21:00 PDT

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The British Dental Association is calling for patients and dentists to lobby candidates in the forthcoming general election for a better deal for dentistry. The call comes as the BDA, the UK's largest dental organisation, launches its manifesto for UK dentistry.

John Renshaw, chair of the BDA's Executive Board, said:

"We have all seen the images of people queuing for hours just to register with an NHS dentist and there is no doubt that access to dental care is extremely important to voters across the country. Parliamentary candidates from across the political divide must recognise this and act to help solve the UK's dental crisis."

With just a year to go until the largest ever overhaul of NHS dentistry is due to take place, the BDA is urging prospective parliamentary candidates to make dentistry a priority during the campaign. Access to dental services remains a problem in most areas of the UK and the Association reiterates its call for greater investment in dental services. Over the past 15 years, spending on the NHS as a whole has increased by 75 per cent, but spending on dentistry has risen by just nine per cent. The BDA also wants to see access problems tackled with a significant increase in training places for would-be dentists.

Dr Renshaw added:

"People in the UK have better oral health now than 30 years ago, but inequalities are increasing across the population. There is still much to be done to ensure better dental health for future generations. Our manifesto outlines six priority areas for action to make this happen. Prevention is better than cure, and an incoming government must invest in oral health education to instil good dental care habits in children that will set them up for life."

The BDA's manifesto also lends its support to the campaign to make school vending machines include healthier options and calls for water coolers, rather than fizzy drinks, to be made more readily available in schools. It also repeats the BDA's support for targeted water fluoridation schemes as a way of significantly reducing dental health inequalities.

1. The British Dental Association is the trade union and professional association for dentists practicing in the UK, representing 20,000 members working in all aspects of dentistry.

2. The six key points of the BDA's manifesto are:

-- Change for the better: introduce NHS dentistry reforms that work and give dentistry its fair share of increased NHS spending

-- Train more dentists: tackle the access problem and put an end to patient queues

-- Stop the rot: support preventive care for patients and invest in teaching children how to care for their teeth

-- Narrow the gap: fight dental health inequalities and bring in water fluoridation

-- Meet demand: support family dentists and recognise the value of the mixed economy for patient choice

-- Ensure quality care: develop the dental team and safeguard patients

3. For further information, or to arrange an interview with a BDA spokesperson, please contact the BDA's media team on 020 7563 4145/6.

British Dental Association

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