When I took NHS Dentistry to Parliament…

‘NHS dentistry is broken.’ Not my words, but those of the government when it entered office back in July 2024. As a dentist, it is impossible not to agree with this analysis. Is NHS dentistry beyond repair? Far too many, sadly, would say yes, that the problems are far too big and the will just isn’t there to fix it.

However, I am optimistic about the future of NHS dentistry and I truly believe that it can be rescued and that with action and campaigning, this goal can be achieved.

Promises have been made to implement a new NHS dental contract by the end of this parliamentary term, and I believe it is imperative that we, as a profession, hold parliamentarians to account, to ensure that this happens.

Taking the case to Labour conference

I make no secret of the fact that I am politically active and I believe in the positive impact that governments can exercise in order to enact change. In September 2025, I took my experiences in NHS dentistry to the floor of the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool and proposed a motion to the health ministry, MPs and party members.

The message was simple. NHS dentistry is a system that is not, in its current form, fit for purpose. In order to fix it, fundamental change is needed. Tinkering around the edges will not cut it and a new NHS dental contract must be implemented.

Alongside this, there must be a general focus on prevention and education as part of a wider public health approach. This motion was passed unanimously. In order to get the changes that the profession needs, a laser focus on the need for progress is essential and this led me to the Houses of Parliament.

Bringing NHS dentistry to Westminster

The inboxes of all MPs have been flooded in recent years with emails from constituents who have been unable to access NHS dental care and I understand that, in order for MPs to be able to use the full weight of their positions to influence change, they need to be fully informed on the issues that exist within the system and what can be done to begin to resolve them.

After considering what I could do as a general dental practitioner (GDP), I approached my local MP Connor Naismith, who agreed to sponsor an event in Parliament where I would bring a team to do just this. I wanted to build a team of all talents and expertise from within dentistry who could draw on their experience to give that complete, rounded view.

This team was composed of myself, Dr Shiv Pabary, chair of the British Dental Association (BDA) General Dental Practice Committee (GDPC), Professor Zoe Marshman, professor of dental public health at the University of Sheffield, and Dr Sarah Weston, clinical development adviser at {my}dentist.

On 22 June 2026, our team travelled from different areas of the UK to Westminster to hold this event. It was a very eventful day as, not only were we hosting the session, but there was a heatwave and the Prime Minister had just resigned only a few hours earlier.

Despite the day’s circumstances, we had a constant and steady turnout of MPs of most parties and parliamentary staff, including Sarah Russell, Jonathan Brash, Adrian Ramsay, Diane Abbott, Jim Shannon and more, who were keen to chat and understand what changes are possible to make NHS dentistry a service fit for the future. Andrew George member of the Health Select Committee also came.

What MPs asked about a new NHS dental contract

We stressed the importance of contract reform to a weighted capitation model with urgent care and prevention built in, alongside a wider public health approach, with the need for oral health to be treated with the same seriousness as general health.

Concerns raised by MPs ranged from how much more funding would be needed in any new contractual arrangements to why there is such a high rate of general anaesthetics in children for dental treatment. It was explained that the BDA estimates that £1.5 billion is needed to bring NHS dentistry back from the brink and many of the MPs who attended, were surprised at this number, expecting it to be far larger.

We unanimously concluded that there is the will to enact positive change and that all understood the absolute urgency to reach workable solutions. To support our work, professionals can contact their MP to ensure that our voices are heard from all parts of the UK and to all political parties.

What happens next?

We will continue this work to maintain momentum, as it will be through a collaborative approach, while also holding politicians’ feet to the fire, that I truly believe NHS dentistry can be saved. The demise of NHS dentistry is not inevitable and we are a pivotal part in rebuilding a system that we can all be proud of.

The NHS was once the envy of the world and by working together it absolutely can be again.

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