PATIENTS REGISTERING WITH NHS DENTISTS PLUMMET ACROSS LONDON

11.01.58am GMT Mon 31st Jan 2005

New figures revealed today by Liberal Democrat London Assembly Health spokesperson, Dee Doocey, show that the number of people registered with NHS dentists has plummeted across the capital since 1997.

The figures, taken from Parliamentary answers, show that just over one in three adults and under half of all children across the capital are registered with an NHS dentist. Every Primary Care Trust (PCT) in London has recorded fewer adults signed up, with only three London Authorities recording an increase in the number of children registering with an NHS dentist.

London PCTs with the biggest decrease in the number of adults registering with an NHS dentists since 1997 are:-

· Hounslow with a 27.2% drop

· Ealing with a 22.6% drop

· Camden with a 22.4% drop

· Lambeth with a 22.3% drop

· Westminster with a 20.2% drop

London PCTs with the lowest number of adults registered with a NHS dentist are:-

· Kensington and Chelsea with 19.4% signed up

· Richmond and Twickenham with 22% signed up

· Bromley with 28.5% with signed up

· Barnet with 28.8% with signed up

· City and Hackney with 29.2% signed up

London PCTs with the lowest number of children registered with a NHS dentist are:-

· Kensington and Chelsea with 24.7% signed up

· City and Hackney with 26.3% signed up

· Tower Hamlets with 32.3% signed up

· Ealing with 38.5% signed up

· Hounslow with 38.5% signed up

Liberal Democrat London Assembly Health Spokesperson, Dee Doocey, said:-

"These shocking figures must send alarm bells ringing across London that too few people in the capital are able to get the treatment they are entitled to. These figures show that the Labour promise of a NHS free at the point of delivery is only true for those who can find a dentist willing to treat NHS patients.

"With so few dentists accepting NHS patients it is little wonder that the levels of people registering with the NHS are so low. As NHS dental cover declines so too does dental health.

"The Government must get to grips with the crisis in dental care. Every patient deserves to be able to register with a local NHS dentist, not to have to journey miles and miles in search of service.

"Ministers, Health Authorities, local councils and the Mayor must work in partnership to make sure that Londoners who are not signed up with a dentist get registered before its too late for their teeth."

ENDS

Notes

Figures have been taken from Hansard Parliamentary Answers 21 Dec 2004 : Column 1671W

Registrations with a general dental service dentist at 30 September in the years 1997 to 2004 by Primary Care Trust can be obtained by e-mailing [email protected]