CRISIS IN NHS DENTISTRY IS THE GOVERNMENT'S HIDDEN LEGACY - LAMB

9.59.01am GMT Thu 17th Jan 2008

Commenting on the survey by the Citizens Advice Bureau showing that millions of people have difficulties accessing an NHS Dentist, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said: "The crisis in NHS dentistry is this Government's hidden legacy. This survey directly contradicts the ministers' repeated claims that more people than ever are seeing an NHS dentist.

"Despite the much trumpeted reforms, finding an NHS dentist has become as rare as hen's teeth. The Government cannot seriously expect elderly people and those on low incomes to travel over 10 miles for vital treatment.

"Patients are suffering under a two tier system as only those with access to money and transport get to see a dentist. This makes vital prevention almost impossible and means that those who need treatment most are missing out.

"We need an urgent review into why the reforms two years ago have done so little to improve access."