Yesterday I was talking to a young single mum.  She had taken her child to the dentist (private - there are no NHS dentists in this area) and was told that some fillings were needed - and that they would cost a total of £600.  Mum works hard to support her family and she earns £15 an hour.  Private dentists in the UK can earn upwards of £150,000 a year.

The Government has expressed its intention to bring back NHS dentists but the need for free dental care for children is urgent.  Low earners are faced with the impossible choice of finding savings in an already tight budget, and possibly going into debt, or not looking after their children's teeth.

The Government should immediately make it compulsory for all UK dental practices to take on a stipulated number of children under the NHS.