That this House expresses concern at the continued lack of access to NHS dentist appointments in Essex and Thurrock; notes that, although there has been a slight increase in the number of adults seeing an NHS dentist in the past two years, access remains well below pre-pandemic levels; welcomes that more children are now receiving care, but notes that significant gaps persist; regrets that the rise in dentists undertaking some NHS work since 2019 has not translated into proportionate increases in access for patients; welcomes the Government's intention to deliver 700,000 additional appointments and impose a minimum NHS service period for dentists; and calls on the Government to urgently review these measures after one year and bring forward further reforms to restore and expand NHS dental provision in all the communities of greater Essex and the UK as a whole.
