Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department plans to take to reduce dentistry waiting lists in Hull.

In the last quarter of 2021/22, an additional £50 million was allocated to National Health Service dentistry to target patients in most need of urgent dental treatment, including vulnerable groups and children. NHS England’s regional commissioners are working with local contractors to commission as much additional activity as possible, including in Hull. Between April and June 2022, NHS England and NHS Improvement have asked practices to deliver at least 95% of contracted units of dental activity to safely improve access for patients.

Following the recent closures of two NHS dental practices, NHS England will procure new NHS dental activity in Hull. This will be put to the market during the summer, using the funding available following the closure of these practices.