BRADFORD district MPs have called on the new Health Secretary Therese Coffey to take decisive action on improving access to NHS dentistry.

Shipley MP Philip Davies and Judith Cummins, who represents Bradford South, say anyone wanting to access a good local NHS dentist should be able to do so and no one should be forced to pay for private dental treatment because they cannot get on an NHS list.

Ms Cummins has sent a cross-party letter including 60 other MPs to the new Prime Minister Liz Truss, warning that NHS dentistry is on ‘life support’ and calling for proper resources and reform to halt what the British Dental Association have called NHS Dentistry’s ‘slow death’.

Making her first statement in the House of Commons on September 22, the Health Secretary announced health reforms.

Questioning Ms Coffey in response to the statement, Ms Cummins asked: “So when will the Secretary of State make full contract reform, with prevention at its heart, so that my constituents can access an NHS dentist when they need to?”

Responding, Ms Coffey said: “Well, the honourable lady is absolutely right and I completely agree with her – it is a real problem. We have started doing some changes already and we need to do that in more detail right across the country. My honourable friend the minister will be looking at that more intensely.”

Speaking after the debate, Ms Cummins said: “Minister after Minister has promised to fix this and none have delivered.

“This needs decisive reform, not the minor tweaks announced, to save NHS dentistry from collapse and make sure people across Bradford can get an NHS dentist when they need them.”

“My constituents in Bradford South have waited long enough and the Government’s ambition does not match the scale of the task. This needs more than words and promises, it needs action.”

It is thought many patients are resorting to DIY dentistry or turning to other areas of the NHS for support such as GPs or A&E because they cannot get an appointment with an NHS dentist.

Mr Davies said: “Access to NHS dentistry is one of the recurring problems we all see as MPs up and down the country.

“This is not an issue that is going away and I want to see action from the new Prime Minister – as she promised – to ensure my constituents can get the healthcare they deserve.

“No one should be left to suffer in pain because they cannot access appropriate help.”