Fresh ideas to solve rotten dental system

There are currently only enough government funds for half the population to see an NHS dentist, with 14 million living with “unmet need”. The Mirror's Our Dentists for All campaign has seen more than 120,000 people sign a petition to rescue dentistry and reverse years of Tory cuts. You say...

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IT'S hard to believe we are living in a country where it is almost impossible to find a dentist taking on new NHS patients. How has it come to this?

Well, dentists feel short changed with NHS contracts that can involve them undertaking numerous procedures for one set fee. But some minor adjustments could be made to the system, with a small excess fee for patients.

The sheer numbers of new patients looking to register for NHS dental care and a backlog from Covid are other reasons for the current crisis.

It may be time for the NHS to employ its own dentists and set up clinics in health centres or outpatient centres in hospitals to alleviate the pressure. Maybe that is the way ahead generally. Mobile drop-in services could also be provided.

Leaving dental issues unattended can lead to more serious health issues too, which will be more costly to the NHS.

Diane Silva, Bournemouth