Empowering the whole dental workforce and embedding prevention at the heart of dentistry are essential to tackling the nation’s oral health crisis, Parliamentarians and industry leaders have said.
The calls were made during a Parliamentary event hosted by Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, attended by MPs from across the political spectrum, alongside policymakers, professional bodies, and dental professionals. Delegates agreed that prevention must be the cornerstone of future dental policy, supported by cross-sector collaboration and a resilient, well-supported workforce.
The event, which discussed the future of dentistry and how to unlock prevention-focused care, improve patient access, and ensure delivery is sustainable in the long term, involved an interactive session followed by a reception. During the interactive BrightBites oral health education session, children from Cordwalles school in Camberley, Surrey, learned about toothbrushing, teeth names and functions, sugar awareness, and the importance of regular dental appointments.
Since 2023 Denplan and Dentaid The Dental Charity, have collaborated on the BrightBites programme, delivering in-person education sessions to schools, nurseries, and clubs for low-income families, providing a range of resources including toothpaste and toothbrushes for every child, toothbrushing charts, stickers, and healthy teeth leaflets, to educate and inform children about oral health. BrightBites has now reached 160,000 children in schools and community settings across the country, with a goal to reach 500,000 by 2028. The programme exemplifies how early education can drive long-term improvements in oral health across the population.
Tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions for five–to-nine year olds, with one in five parents reporting their children don’t brush twice daily*. Poor oral health is linked to serious systemic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. The NHS currently spends £45.8 million on hospital-based decay-related tooth extractions for children** – a procedure that is almost entirely preventable. Access to NHS dentistry also remains a critical barrier: up to 96% of practices are not accepting new adult patients***, leaving families waiting until problems escalate, increasing costs for both patients and the health system.
Attendees also emphasised that a strong and sustainable dental workforce is the foundation of access, prevention, and quality care. Despite this, many professionals feel overworked and under-recognised, limiting their ability to deliver the care they were trained to provide****. In response, structured mentoring, professional development and the ability to work to full scope were highlighted as vital to morale, retention and long-term sustainability.
Delegates called for:
- Making dental care fairer across the country – utilising dental expertise to make sure funding meets local needs and tackles regional inequalities.
- Supporting all dental professionals – building a system that works for dentists, enabling mixed NHS and private practices and championing the vital role of the wider dental team, including dental nurses and hygienists.
- Focusing on prevention as well as treatment – we want everyone to have access to regular check-ups and advice – not just emergency care – limiting problems before they get worse and sustaining NHS capacity for those who need them most.
- Putting oral health on equal footing – your mouth matters. We’re making sure oral health is treated as seriously as physical and mental health.
Simon Opher MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Health, said: “The APPG on Health has heard firsthand the need to look at how the dental landscape can be strengthened for the future. Too many people across the country are unable to access care, and an overstretched dental workforce lacks the comprehensive support it needs. Without the urgent action, discussed at Denplan’s parliamentary reception, we cannot address immediate challenges or ensure we are set up for longer term success.
“As policymakers, it is more important than ever that we listen to all voices across the sector to understand how we can work together to deliver a sustainable future for dentistry.”
Helen Morgan MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, said: “As a critical area of health, improving dental care is a key priority for the Liberal Democrats. More must be done not just to address access barriers, but to ensure that we work to improve oral health more broadly across the UK.
“As part of this, it is fantastic to see positive oral health education initiatives such as BrightBites which show how engaging and educating children about oral health from an early age can make prevention a reality rather than an aspiration. This is the kind of work that can help reduce inequalities and improve access in the long term.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Denplan and others across the sector to take forward the learnings from today – with the aim of moving towards a society where dental care works for all.”
Dr Matthew Nolan, Head Dental Officer at Denplan, said: “Preventable dental disease is costing the NHS millions each year and causing avoidable pain and disruption for children and families. We desperately need change to make prevention the priority, enabling closer collaboration across sectors to ensure oral health is fully recognised as a crucial part of overall health and wellbeing. We are committed to continuing to work with industry stakeholders, parliamentarians and the government to secure future of dentistry.”
The message from Parliamentarians and dental leaders is clear: the UK’s oral health crisis demands a shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. By investing in education, supporting the dental workforce, and embedding oral health into broader public health strategies, we can build a system that delivers better outcomes for all – children, adults, and communities alike.
All photos courtesy of Matt Crossick, PA Media Assignments
References:
* Denplan (2024) Oral Health Survey Results 2024. Available at: https://a.storyblok.com/f/273343/x/80abb55e2a/denplan-consumer-oral-health-survey-results-2024.pdf
** Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (2025) Short statistical commentary for hospital tooth extractions in 0 to 19 year olds 2024. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hospital-tooth-extractions-in-0-to-19-year-olds-2024/short-statistical-commentary-for-hospital-tooth-extractions-in-0-to-19-year-olds-2024
*** British Dental Association (2024) Up to 96% of practices unable to offer care to new NHS patients. Available at: https://www.bda.org/media-centre/up-to-96-of-practices-unable-to-offer-care-to-new-nhs-patients/
**** Dental Protection, Two-thirds of dental professionals “burnt out and exhausted” https://www.dentalprotection.org/uk/articles/two-thirds-of-dental-professionals–burnt-out-and-exhausted
