Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the recruitment challenges in the NHS dentistry sector; and what steps he is taking to support the recruitment of NHS dentists.

Following a three-year review of dental education and training, Health Education England set out recommendations in the Advancing Dental Care Review. These aim to tackle recruitment and retention challenges, attracting more dentists into the National Health Service. These recommendations will be implemented through the Dental Education Reform Programme.

The Department and NHS England and NHS Improvement are developing proposals to reform the current NHS dental contract, working with the British Dental Association. This aims to improve access for patients and make working for the NHS more attractive for dentists and their teams. The Department is also currently working with the General Dental Council on legislative proposals to allow greater flexibility to expand overseas registration routes open to international applicants.