Bridlington's Dental Crisis Debated in Parliament

Thursday, 10 October 2024 06:00

By Matthew Pells

The town's MP says entire classrooms of children have never seen a dentist.

Bridlington's MP, Charlie Dewhirst, addressed Parliament this week to highlight the town's concerning lack of NHS dental services.

The MP has asked the Minister for Care to look at ways to encourage more dentists to work in dental deserts like Bridlington, citing the effect the situation is having on local children.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Charlie Dewhirst said that the "dire situation" has led to extreme measures, with one resident needing emergency dental work being sent over 60 miles away to Doncaster for treatment.

The MP also pointed to data showing that the waiting list for the sole local NHS dentist had reached a staggering 8,500 people in January.

Responding to Dewhirst's concerns, Care Minister Stephen Kinnock acknowledged the severity of the issue.

He expressed shared concern over the lack of access to dentistry, highlighting a disturbing national trend.

The Minister said that more provision for Bridlington is being worked on.

While the debate focused on Bridlington's specific challenges, both Dewhirst and Kinnock acknowledged the broader healthcare difficulties faced by coastal towns.

Kinnock pointed to the "toxic combination" of ageing populations and inadequate facilities prevalent in these areas. Despite these challenges, he affirmed the government's commitment to delivering improved healthcare for Bridlington and all of Yorkshire.