Dental provision in the North West

That this House expresses deep concern over the shortage of NHS dental services in the North West of England; is alarmed that parents are frequently advised to seek private dental care for their children simply to access routine check-ups; notes with particular concern that more than 100,000 children aged six to ten have been admitted to hospital with decaying teeth since 2018; believes this situation is depriving children of essential early dental care; supports the introduction of supervised toothbrushing schemes in nurseries and schools; further believes that VAT should be removed from children’s toothbrushes and toothpaste to make oral hygiene more affordable for families; and urges the new Government to collaborate with primary care bodies to end the emergence of dental deserts, particularly in the North West, by reforming the broken NHS dental contract, incentivising dentists to return from the private sector, and using flexible commissioning to ensure patients can access NHS dental services when needed.