A new local campaign group has been set up to highlight the plight of people who have found themselves increasingly unable to access NHS dental care.

Toothless in Southampton is one of a number of similar local groups, and says it will be running a street stall on Wednesday, August 3 at Bitterne Precinct from 11am – 1pm.

Mark Jones, campaign coordinator of Toothless in England, said that people have “simply had enough of not being able to see a dentist when they need one urgently, or for regular check-ups”.

“They are organising themselves, coming to form local ‘Toothless’ groups. The government cannot continue ignoring Southampton’s oral health needs. We all want an NHS dentist, and we won’t stop until everyone gets one.”

In an article on the subject on Wednesday (July 27), The Guardian reported that the lack of access to dental care “has become a controversial issue in in England and Wales, where NHS dentists have been working under a contract introduced in 2006. Patients have reported being unable to get an NHS dentist, with some so desperate that they have resorted to DIY treatment, and there are growing fears that the shortage of dentists is worsening.” 

Photo by Ozkan Guner on Unsplash