A potential deciding factor in the Makerfield by-election for Andy Burnham could be the shortage of dentists, according to recent polling. The British Dental Association (BDA) investigation revealed that no dental practices in the constituency are currently accepting new adult NHS patients.
Survation polling conducted for the advocacy group 38 Degrees highlighted the significant concern among Makerfield constituents regarding access to affordable NHS dental care. Out of 500 surveyed residents, 63% expressed worries about the availability of such care, while only 32% reported no concerns.
The BDA’s outreach to all NHS-listed dental practices in Makerfield indicated a lack of availability for new NHS adult patients due to lengthy waiting lists of up to two-and-a-half years. The BDA emphasized that the only accessible NHS dentistry location in the constituency is Hindley Prison.
Eddie Crouch, Chair of the BDA, emphasized the necessity for concrete actions and proper funding to fulfill the promises made by the government in addressing the dental care crisis. The upcoming parliamentary debate on the “Dentists for All” campaign, in response to a Mirror petition with over 262,000 signatures, underscores the urgency of the issue.
Labour candidate Andy Burnham’s commitment to challenging Keir Starmer for leadership and Prime Minister position amplifies the political significance of the by-election. Meanwhile, Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon faces scrutiny over past social media posts, with the party’s stance on NHS funding remaining ambiguous, hinting at a potential shift towards an insurance-based system.
Veronica Hawking, campaigns director at 38 Degrees, stressed the importance of addressing the dental care concerns in Makerfield and across all constituencies. The call for restored funding, recruitment of more NHS dentists, and reform of the current dental service contracts underscores the need for immediate action to alleviate the ongoing crisis.
Both Labour and Reform UK have been urged to address the pressing issue of NHS dental care access, reflecting the electorate’s growing concerns. The public’s right to access NHS dentistry is a fundamental aspect that requires immediate attention and resolution.