Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the implications for his Department's policies are of the report by the Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation on the consistent gap between the dental health of the rich and poor.

We are looking carefully at the findings of this report. Improving the oral health of children and reducing inequalities is already a priority for this Government. Public Health England continues to lead a wide ranging programme to improve children’s oral health which includes dietary factors such as sugar as well as promoting better oral hygiene and dental attendance. NHS England’s Starting Well Programme will focus on increasing attendance in the under five year olds in 13 high needs areas. It will include outreach work in settings such as nurseries and pre- schools to raise awareness of the need for early dental attendance.