Having a medical condition that affects my oral health, I constantly need check-ups. With my low income, private dental care is unaffordable, and the struggle to find an NHS dentist since moving has led me to travel over 4 hours back to my original hometown. This personal hardship embodies a larger, often overlooked issue — the limited accessibility of NHS dentists.

We believe that every individual should have the right to access NHS dental care. However, this can only materialise if dentists are adequately compensated for their efforts under the NHS contract. Presently, the remuneration is far from fair. According to British Dental Association statistics, an increasing number of dentists are leaving the NHS due to this inadequacy, which portends dire impacts on oral health nationwide.

The government has a responsibility to its citizens to rectify this issue. Every person should be able to access dental care without breaking the bank or traveling extraordinarily long distances. Everyone deserves to have their oral health needs met, regardless of income or location.

It is time for the government to step up — to review and increase the funding for NHS dental contracts, to ensure that dentists are adequately compensated, thereby making the service more available to the public.

Please sign this petition to demand that the government prioritize accessible dental care — because your health, your family’s health, and the nation's health shouldn't suffer from avoidable dental complications.