Westmorland MP hands in NHS dentistry petition to Downing Street

This week, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron joined campaigners and MPs to hand in a petition to Downing Street calling for action to address Britain’s dentistry crisis.

Tim handed in the petition, launched by The Mirror in partnership with the British Dental Association (BDA), the Women’s Institute and campaign group 38 Degrees, which featured more than a quarter of a million signatures.

The petition calls on the government to provide proper funding for NHS dentistry and reform failing contracts to rebuild the service, prioritise prevention, and ensure fair access to dental care for everyone.

More than 17,000 children in Westmorland and Furness were not seen by an NHS dentist in the past year, according to research by the House of Commons Library.

Tim said: “This is an absolutely appalling situation where – during a cost of living crisis - local residents are expected to pay hundreds of pounds a year just to see a dentist because the can’t see one on the NHS.

“This cannot be allowed to go on for any longer. 

“The Government must get a grip on this crisis and ensure that patients get access to the NHS dental services that their taxes pay for."