Helen backs campaign to ‘Fill the Gap’ on dentists

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has backed the ‘Fill the Gap’ campaign from the Association of Dental Groups, pledging her support to plans which would improve recruitment in the sector.

At present, there are more than 5,500 dental vacancies in the UK and we have per capita among the lowest number of dentists in Europe, with only Bulgaria and Poland having fewer dentists per 1,000 people. In 2022, 90% of surgeries were not accepting new adult patients and 80% were not accepting new child patients.

The Association of Dental Groups believe that just 1,000 extra dentists would deliver 750,000 additional appointments.

The MP has petitioned residents on the lack of services available in rural areas like Shropshire, taking the case to Government Ministers.

Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, said, “It was really useful to attend the Association of Dental Groups event, where we discussed how the UK can fill the gap in its dental workforce.

“Here in Shropshire, you hear awful stories about the difficulties people face through a lack of access to care, with some even taking to DIY dentistry. The underlying problem is recruitment, which we need the Government to take real action on or risk losing even more local dental services.

“I’m joining 30 other MPs & Peers in urging the General Dental Council to reform the exam that dentists must pass in order to practice in the UK, to boost recruitment and deliver the services people need.”