Dentists urge TV presenter Richard Madeley to correct his inaccurate comments on NHS dentistry made during Good Morning Britain this morning.
Madeley told commentators Kevin Maguire and Andrew Pierce that ‘NHS dentists are not capable of doing extractions anymore’.
He said: ‘I was talking to a private dentist only last week, who was saying that so many people now have to go private because NHS dentists are not capable of doing extractions anymore.
‘They are simply not trained up to that level.’
The GMB host also stated as ‘categorical fact’ that instead of extracting rotten teeth, patients are being handed antibiotics and referred to casualty.
Inadequate budget
But the BDA believe Madeley has ‘wholly misrepresented’ the current crisis in dentistry.
While complex cases can be referred to hospital, the BDA stresses dentists are fully trained to undertake these procedures.
Accident and emergency services are not placed to provide this sort of treatment, says the BDA. Dental leaders have warned such suggestions will only place further pressure on other NHS providers.
It adds that the autumn statement failed to ‘inflation-proof’ existing funds. This risks leaving a nearly £0.5 billion hole in the service’s already suffering budget.
Research shows that 40 million NHS dental appointments have been lost since lockdown. This includes around 12 million for children.
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Tipping point
British Dental Association Chair Eddie Crouch said: ‘Richard Madeley has offered a grotesque misrepresentation of a crisis facing millions of patients.
‘His categorical facts are pure fiction. Dentists have the training, what’s really missing is the political will at Westminster to save this service.
‘NHS dentistry is at a tipping point and requires fair funding and real reform. It can do without the musings of armchair pundits.’
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