Report Reveals Crisis in Norfolk's NHS Dentistry

11.33.09am GMT Fri 18th Jan 2008

A Liberal Democrat survey of NHS dentists operating in Norfolk has revealed deep concerns of the dental profession in the county. Many of these concerns arise from the new NHS dental contract, introduced two years ago.

April Pond, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokeswoman for Broadland, has published a report on the survey's findings.

It reveals:

• Only one-in-ten dentists feel that preventative care is encouraged in the current system.

• Morale is rock bottom, with only 2% of dentists confident about the future of NHS dentistry.

• Two out of three dentists would consider leaving the NHS.

• Nearly two-thirds of dentists said that waiting times for orthodontic work is 3 years or more.

"The findings of this survey show a complete and utter failure in the Government's dentistry reforms," said Mrs Pond. "Dentists in Norfolk clearly have no confidence in where this Government is leading them and their profession."

"The people who suffer the most, though, are the patients. I know that many people across Norfolk struggle to find an NHS dentist accepting new patients, and this survey reveals that things could get even worse in future. Most dentists have told us that they would consider leaving the NHS, largely because of the new contracts."

The survey was conducted by April Pond, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesman and MP for North Norfolk Norman Lamb, and Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South Simon Wright.