Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was criticised after he unveiled plans to see teachers overseeing supervised teeth brushing in schools with high tooth decay.
Starmer has faced opposition from the chief of the National Association of Headteachers, with general secretary Paul Whiteman saying: “This week we have seen guidance on mobile phones from Government and a new dentistry duty from the opposition.
However, Shawn Charlwood from the Dental Association has backed the policy.
He said, “Tooth decay is the number one reason for hospital admissions among young children, so supervised brushing is a no-brainer. It’s a tried and tested policy that would pay for itself.”
The cost of this exercise is £111 million a year, that’s right, £111 million.
£111 million to get teachers to supervise teeth brushing, seriously. We need to see if any member of parliament has just been gifted shares in Colgate.
On a more serious note, what this statement by Sir Keir Starmer is saying is that Labour has no actual plans to fix dental care in England.
Registering with an NHS dental care provider can be difficult. As many as 70% of individuals who have attempted to register for the first time have confirmed experiencing some challenges during the process.
From navigating complex paperwork and appointment scheduling to long wait times and limited availability of providers, potential patients face many obstacles when trying to access dental care through the NHS.
Despite efforts to improve access to dental services, the healthcare system’s high demand and limited resources continue to pose significant challenges for patients seeking routine dental care.
Many people face similar challenges when it comes to accessing emergency dental care. The long waiting times for basic dental procedures such as fillings further complicate the situation.
It can take several months for some individuals to secure an appointment, leaving them in excruciating pain or worsening dental conditions. As a result, many people are forced to seek private dental care, which can be prohibitively expensive for most individuals.
This situation leaves many in a difficult position, as they must choose between enduring the pain or paying excessively for private dental treatment.
As we observe the current situation in Britain, it becomes increasingly evident what Sir Starmer’s message is saying. As you age, you may need access to adequate dental or healthcare services the government currently provides, which will not be available due to mismanagement of the economy and disastrous immigration policies.
In addition, the exorbitant fees charged by private healthcare providers may be beyond your financial means, making it challenging to maintain good oral health. Therefore, it is imperative to prioritise dental hygiene and preventative care to avoid the potential consequences of inadequate access to healthcare services in the future.
The NHS needs a radical rethink of how it is organised and ensuring that Dental Care is addressed.
