LOCAL MP Rebecca Pow has been promised ‘positive news’ shortly on Government plans to improve access to NHS dentists.

Dental Minister Neil O’Brien gave the pledge at a meeting in Westminster with Ms Pow, who represents the Wellington and Wiveliscombe areas.

Ms Pow said the issue was one of her top priorities, which was why she arranged to meet personally with Mr O’Brien.

It followed an earlier meeting with the British Dental Association (BDA) where Ms Pow highlighted the lack of access to NHS dentists in Taunton Deane and looked to find some way forward on the issue.

Ms Pow said: “The lack of access to NHS dentists in this area has reached crisis point.

“I have countless examples of those facing serious problems including many children who have never seen a dentist.

“I explained the situation in no uncertain terms to the Minister and I also suggested that some of the initiatives being run in other parts of the country to encourage dentists to work in areas facing recruitment challenges be explored.

“Mr O’Brien gave assurances that some positive progress on access to dental services will be announced shortly, with a further comprehensive package to follow in the future.

“I shall keep pressing on this serious issue for local people.”

People in the Wellington and Wiveliscombe areas have been without an NHS dentist for nearly two years since every local dental practice decided to only take patients who paid for private treatment.

The move has forced residents to pay private fees or monthly direct debits for dental insurance to subsidise the cost of treatment, or to travel out of the area to try to find a practice still willing to take NHS patients.

‘Dental deserts’ have now become commonplace across the country and there have been reports of people resorting to do-it-yourself measures to pull teeth.

Emergency NHS dental treatment still remains available for patients who are referred to the service.

Locally, dental practices claimed that attempts had been made to recruit dentists who were prepared to work for NHS rates but nobody applied for the posts.

The BDA said the current dental contract to remunerate dentists in England and Wales dated to 2006 and was no longer fit for purpose.