Dentistry wide open

London is one of the worst performing regions in the country for accessing NHS dentistry.

Excluding the City of London, Tower Hamlets had the lowest rate of access for adults (25.1 per cent) in the two years up until June 2023, while Hammersmith and Fulham had the highest (49.62 per cent).

Excluding the City of London, Westminster had the lowest rate of access for children (29.95 per cent), while Hounslow had the highest (60.2 per cent).^[1]

There was a reduction during the pandemic in the proportion of both adults and children in London accessing dental care, and rates of access have still not returned to their pre-pandemic levels.

What are the barriers for adults and children in accessing NHS dental care in London and the reasons behind a decrease in the number of Londoners accessing NHS dentistry?

In the first of a two-meeting investigation, the London Assembly Health Committee will examine:

• The barriers for both adults and children in accessing NHS dental care in London and the reasons behind the decrease in the number of Londoners accessing NHS dentistry.
• What action needs to be taken by the NHS and health partners in London to ensure all Londoners can access an NHS dentist and support good oral health.

The guests are:

Panel 1 – 14:00 – 15:25

• Nikita Vora, Dental Surgeon and Director for Brent, North West London LDC (Local Dental Committee)
• Natalie Bradley, Consultant in Special Care Dentistry, King’s College Hospital and Chair of the British Dental Association Young Dentist’s Committee
• Elizabeth Fisher, Senior Fellow, Nuffield Trust

Panel 2 – 15:30 – 17:00

• Martin Machray, Executive Director of Performance, NHS England, London
• Will Huxter, Regional Director of Specialised Commissioning, NHS England, London
• Jeremy Wallman, Head of Primary Care Commissioning, Dentistry, Optometry and Pharmacy, NHS North East London

The meeting will take place on Wednesday 17 July from 2pm in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.

Media and members of the public are invited to attend.

The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.

Follow us @LondonAssembly.

Notes for editors:

1. NHS England Digital, NHS Dental Statistics for England, 2022-23, Annual Report, 24 August 2023
2. Full agenda papers.
3. Krupesh Hirani AM, Chair of the Health Committee, is available for interview. 
4. Find out more about the work of the Health Committee.
5. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

For more details, please contact Alison Bell in the Assembly Media Office on 07887 832 918. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.