Lib Dem Shock at Ailing NHS Dental Service in Congleton Borough

10.09.22am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 3rd May 2006

Congleton residents unable to get NHS dental treatment

In the week that controversial new NHS dental contracts come into force across England and Wales, Congleton's Lib Dem Councillor, Simon Davey revealed the number of people in Congleton who are registered with an NHS dentist has already fallen by 15, 400 since Labour came to power.

Commenting on the figures, Cllr Davey said:

"There is a growing decay in NHS dentistry provision, here in Congleton and across the country. Things were bad when the Conservatives were in power. They have got worse under Labour, and they are set to get worse still.

"In 1999 Tony Blair promised that by 2001 everyone would have access to an NHS dentist. Not only has this not happened, but the situation has actually worsened. Since Labour came to power there are now 19,000 more adults and 4,800 more children in Congleton that are not registered with an NHS dentist.

Simon added:

"My postbag has included letters from people in distress because they cannot register themselves and their children with an NHS dentist without going as far afield as Northwich."

"These new figures show that NHS dentistry had reached crisis point even before these new contracts were imposed. Now the situation looks even grimmer for Congleton as many dentists are refusing to sign the contract and are leaving the NHS altogether.

"The new dental contracts are not giving local NHS dentists enough confidence to make a long-term commitment to the NHS.

"The failure to increase registrations through this new contract is an indictment of Labour's failure to restore the NHS to what it should be: a universal, comprehensive service that provides ongoing health care to everyone who needs it."