"At this rate, the Government risk making no meaningful reforms to dentistry within this Parliament," says @johnmilnehorsham.bsky.social MP. These risks are real. We need honesty with both dentists and patients. On timelines, on resources, on the true scale of this Government's ambitions.

"Patients waiting in pain cannot afford further delays" says @alisonebennett.bsky.social "And dentists considering their future in the NHS cannot afford further uncertainty." It's all too easy to say change is 'Coming Soon'. What we need is a clear timetable and sustainable funding.

"We frankly cannot afford any further delays," says @jessbrownfullermp.bsky.social MP Our thanks. Millions remain unable to access NHS dental care. More dither and delay will just push more struggling practices out of the NHS. And leave more communities without options.

Less than 44% of adults in Northern Ireland are now registered with a health service dentist - an all time low. Practices are on the brink can't be expected to continue delivering care at a loss. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/news/northern-ireland-how-low-can-you-go/

"This government is clearly distracted," says @helenmaguiremp.bsky.social "These distractions cannot be allowed to delay reform of the contract." Our patients need to see reform & investment. Not dither and delay. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/blog/change-at-the-top-and-reform-at-risk/

"Tweaks to the existing system cannot become a substitute for fundamental reform," says @marykfoymp.bsky.social "We need a clear timetable for formal negotiations on a new dental contract." "And proper funding so practices don't lose money for providing NHS treatment." 👏

@samrushworthmp.bsky.social is spot on - dental reform cannot wait, but it will only work if backed by sustainable funding. Investing in our nation's oral health is not just the right thing to do for the millions going without care. It would also bring huge savings elsewhere in our NHS.

It really isn’t, Simon! All that’s needed - and what still feels missing - is the political will to see this through. @thebda.bsky.social

"It's not rocket science!" 👏 Simon Hoare MP sets out the facts. Solving the crisis millions face hinges on making NHS dentistry more attractive. That requires urgent root and branch reform. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/blog/change-at-the-top-and-reform-at-risk/

Thanks @markjsewards.bsky.social We have huge unmet need for NHS dental care. And practices delivering it at a loss. This isn’t about throwing money at the problem. It’s about delivering sustainable and needed investment. @thebda.bsky.social

"We've heard some sources tonight cite £1.5 billion to fix dentistry," says @markjsewards.bsky.social MP. "I think that's a very reasonable figure to consider finding." Fixing NHS dentistry won't break the bank. Millions will pay the price if it goes to the wall.

14 million people in England can't get NHS dental care. People forced to pull their own teeth out. In one of the wealthiest nations in the world, that is not acceptable. I spoke in Parliament on the NHS dentistry crisis. There is progress, but it is a sticking plaster. We need urgent, lasting reform

"Govt must pursue contract reform and ensure that dentists are funded for the work they do." Thanks to @adrianramsay.bsky.social for securing this week's vital debate We've heard promises but we are not seeing delivery https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/blog/change-at-the-top-and-reform-at-risk/

700 days after it was promised, and there's still no sign of an energy drinks ban for kids. Dentists see the damage energy drinks are causing every single day. Any serious figure looking hold the office of Prime Minister needs to take them off the menu.

"Let's get on with it!" says @AdamJamesDance.bsky.social MP. We have a government distracted. And a material risk that promises on NHS dentistry can't be kept. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/blog/change-at-the-top-and-reform-at-risk/

For everyone who has emailed to ask - yes, I am absolutely heading in for the debate on NHS Dentistry today. I’ve been receiving more emails on this topic of late & if you’ve watched my work over the last few years, you’ll know this is one of the key issues I want to see improvements in - FAST!

I am both honoured and humbled to accept this recognition. At Covid lockdown dentistry effectively ceased to exist for millions across this country.  I set out to ensure that it could survive for colleagues and bounce back for patients.

Our congratulations to shawncharlwood.bsky.social, awarded the MBE for services to dentistry. Shawn set out to voice his colleagues' concerns and those of the patients they serve. He fought and won the argument that NHS dentistry was fundamentally broken.

"Without dental practices doing private dentistry many would not be able to carry on providing NHS work," says @eddiecrouch.bsky.social No health professional can be expected to lose money delivering NHS care. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czrx7pvx57eo

"Millions make a positive decision to go private," says @eddiecrouch.bsky.social But many have felt forced to do so or simply gone without the care they need as a direct result of political choices made at the Treasury and the Department of Health. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czrx7pvx57eo

The latest on the abolition of NHS England... 👇 https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/news/dph-workforce-concessions-but-deep-cuts-remain/

Real pleasure to @samrushworthmp.bsky.social in Parliament. We couldn’t agree more about the need for investment and more urgency in tackling the dental access crisis. With 14m people in England unable to access an NHS dentist, this issue can’t be kicked into the long grass. @thebda.bsky.social

We have to disagree with @mabonapgwynfor.bsky.social 1/3 of the adult population in Wales are unable to access the NHS dental care they need. The last govt's untested reforms are pushing struggling practices to the brink. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6g245161wo

This isn't so much about the fate of Andy Burnham but of millions of patients across this country. This Government has made the right promises. But warm words need to be met with action. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/makerfield-dental-desert-could-decide-37252155

“We shouldn’t be forced to play a zero-sum game for theatre space," says @eddiecrouch.bsky.social https://www.hsj.co.uk/patient-safety/vulnerable-children-denied-surgery-as-cancer-patients-prioritised/7041857.article

🏜️🦷50 new dental school places won't end 'dental deserts'. From Portsmouth to Norwich, we've set out to ensure the public know the facts about the latest move from Government. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/news/reality-check-new-dental-schools-won-t-end-dental-deserts/

 “No one in the 21st century should struggle to access basic dental care or, even worse, forced to take matters into their own hands,” says Minister @skinnock.bsky.social A worthy sentiment, but this policy alone really can’t deliver that level of change. We need ambition & investment.

REALITY CHECK: New dental schools are a step forward but are no silver bullet for ending dental deserts. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/action-tackle-nhs-dental-deserts-37236186.amp

Pleased to meet the new Minister for Prevention @sharonhodgsonmp.bsky.social You rightly recognized that NHS dental services are facing an existential threat. It has never been more important to double down on preventing tooth decay We look forward to working with you on this

"A lot of people are saying it's hard to get into a dentist but a trip to the dentist could literally save your life," says tongue cancer survivor Gary. Govt needs to go further & faster on restoring access to care. https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/i-went-dentist-regular-check-34013710

A year ago we helped lift the lid on the sugar-laden pouches being pushed to parents of toddlers as 'healthy options'. Sales have crashed. But Govt must ensure honest marketing is in place https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/branded-babyfood-volumes-down-14-following-bbc-panorama-expose/719399.article

When millions are struggling to access care NHS practices are left paying the price for no-shows. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c072554e348o

We're still seeing patients queuing from the crack of dawn to secure care. Desperate people resorting to 'DIY' dentistry. This crisis has cost lives. We've heard promises. But we need ministers to go further and faster on NHS dentistry. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0j26p2p2e2o

Thanks @jimdickson.bsky.social for talking to us about the rising tide of child tooth extractions - almost 2k teeth here were taken out of kids in Kent & Medway under general anaesthetic in just 6 months. The human cost is as shocking as the millions wasted treating a preventable disease.

Pleasure to meet Andy Slaughter MP @hammersmithandy.bsky.social in Parliament this week to talk about the need to go further and faster on oral health prevention, so little kids like lovely Isaac can grow up with healthy smiles.

@mariecgoldman.bsky.social MP was disgusted to see there number of rotten teeth taken out of children under a general anaesthetic in her area every single month - and rightly so. Investing in prevention and access to dental services are key to finally ending this scandal.

Always a pleasure to catch up with one of the most vocal advocates for dentists and dental patients in Parliament @marykfoymp.bsky.social. Thank you for continuing to speak up for the millions currently unable to access the care they need.

Tooth decay remains the number 1 reason for hospital admissions among young children. It's not inevitable.... ❌There's so much more government can do. ❌Reining in an industry pedalling sugar-filled junk as 'healthy options.' ❌And ensuring the next generation can access care.

Step into the history of dentistry today. Join the BDA Museum, Library and Lindsay Society on stand M54 to spin the Wheel of dentistry, explore mystery objects and put your knowledge to the test. We’re here all day and happy to talk you through it. #BDCDS26

📉 Satisfaction with NHS dentistry is on the floor, but beneath the surface there’s a very different story 📈 Satisfaction with dental care is sky high 🦷 The problem isn’t your dentist: it’s NHS dentistry https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/news/public-point-finger-at-nhs-dentistry-not-dentists/

Wes Streeting sent a powerful signal by making us the first organisation he met after the election. Promises to fundamentally reform NHS dentistry have been made but are yet to be kept. Change at the top must not undermine progress to save a service millions depend on.

🦷 Dentistry: a profession over 59,000 years old... https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/may/13/neanderthals-stone-drills-treat-cavities-tooth-siberia-dentist

Charities are stepping in to fill the gap in what's meant to be 'universal' healthcare. Huge respect for those supporting hard to reach communities. Volunteers shouldn't have to plug the gap left by a generation of underfunding & failed contracts. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjrpl31wpy3o

Heart disease, diabetes, dementia. The links between oral health & general health are frightening. As is the casual disinterest from too many govts - past & present - in dentistry. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/may/11/mouth-gateway-body-fascinating-frightening-links-between-gums-health

@plaidcymru.bsky.social’s plan for their First 100 Days talks about “neglect of primary care” and “increasing funding for primary care.” We can only agree. Untested new contracts are already pushing dental practices out of the NHS. This service needs a safety net partyof.wales/100days

Heart-breaking. The human cost of political choices made in Westminster. The PM once said "we will get NHS dentistry back on its feet." With another reset planned, he can make sure we finally get the reform and resources to end these horrors.

"The Government has yet to commit a penny of new investment to underpin the rebuild of the service or extend access to those with no options," warns @eddiecrouch.bsky.social https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/conditions/ageing/father-died-filled-own-tooth-couldnt-afford-dentist/

“The fundamental problem isn’t the number of dentists we have," warns @eddiecrouch.bsky.social "It’s the fact they increasingly can’t see a future in a failed, underfunded system." https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/nhs-dentist-appointment-treatment-uk-37130046.amp

"This is the result of years of failure by successive governments to properly fund and fix NHS dentistry," says patient Colin Simmonds, As another community loses access to NHS care, the public are seeing the reality. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74rl4kvn0po

"Authorities here seem utterly untroubled these clinics are now touting for business in UK hotels," warns @eddiecrouch.bsky.social https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15783221/Truth-Turkey-teeth-dentist-whos-seen-Thousands-FRED-KELLY-learned-dangerous-effects-Hollywood-Smile-you-just-months.html