Sorry for the long gap between these updates, but, hopefully, you will find it worth the wait.

I presented the petition, as it was in November, to the ICB at their meeting on 28th November and explained the immense suffering and the extremely challenging situation created by the paucity of affordable NHS dental services in Glastonbury and the surrounding area. The Board were very keen to engage with us about rectifying this issue and I had a conversation with Dr Bernie Mardon, the chief medical officer, about working together to resolve this situation.

It is very important that we collect as much evidence as possible to reinforce the case. The ICB want to hear about the experiences of people in this area in trying to access NHS dental services and the impact that this has had on them. Please either comment on this petition and encourage others to do so, or email me on emmajking.sos4somerset@gmail.com and I will compile evidence which I will hand into the ICB meeting on 27th March. I will also speak to local dental practices about why they do not accept NHS patients and what would encourage them to do so, and I would ask you also to do the same.

I have also today received an email acknowledging receipt of the petition and have been asked it I would like to attend a meeting with NHS Somerset primary care colleagues to discuss this issue further.

We are having an impact - please continue to keep this issue uppermost in the minds of the ICB by sharing this petition, sending me your experiences and encouraging others to do so too.

Thank you for your support so far!