PA MediaA group has been launched to combat what one MP has described as “shocking” NHS dental provision in Cornwall.
The North Cornwall Dental Group (NCDG) said it aimed to bring together dentists, health partners and community organisations from across the constituency to support the NHS locally.
“Too many people here in north Cornwall cannot see an NHS dentist, even when they urgently need one, and that is just not good enough,” MP for North Cornwall Ben Maguire said.
A spokesperson for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board said it had already “introduced a range of measures to increase appointment availability” and it would he happy to work with NCDG.
NCDG said it planned to work closely with The Goods Shed in Wadebridge, where they are considering how to create a dedicated clinical space for community dental treatment, including facilities for X-rays and treatment chairs.
The aim is to support NHS delivery locally, and thereby reduce the number of residents forced to travel or pay privately, they said.
In 2024, a Healthwatch Cornwall report found 34.5% of the adult population had not been able to see an NHS dentist in the previous 24 months.
“It’s absolutely shocking – especially considering that Cornwall’s Integrated Care Board underspent its annual budget for dental services by £8m in one recent year,” said Mr Maguire.
“Our new North Cornwall Dental Action Group will focus on practical solutions that can actually be delivered here on the ground.”
The Goods Shed said it was “keen to play its part”.
“We’ve seen first-hand how many local families are struggling to get even basic treatment from dentists here at the moment, and our community is in dire need of accessible dental care,” said Stephen Knightley, a trustee at the The Goods Shed.
“Working alongside our local MP Ben Maguire and our partners, I am really confident this project can make a real difference and become something the town, and North Cornwall, can genuinely be proud of.”
‘Additional appointments’
NHS Cornwall said measures it had introduced included a new dental van “providing treatment to some of the most vulnerable patients, rural communities and those who have been waiting a long time”.
It also said “thousands of additional urgent and emergency dental care appointments” had been provided and it had worked with local dentists to “procure additional NHS contracts in areas of greatest need and supporting initiatives to recruit dentists locally”.
In addition it said it had been running a scheme with Smile Together Dental CIC teaching primary school children about good oral health.
The spokesperson added: “We will be happy to work with the action group to identify and implement any other measures that we can take to increase access to NHS dentistry in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly”
The ICB said anyone in need an urgent dental appointment should contact their own dentist first.
If someone does not have a dentist they should call Smile Together, Cornwall’s emergency dental service.
Outside of office hours, they should contact NHS 111 for advice and support.
