Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to bring forward a workforce strategy to help improve rates of recruitment and retention within the dental sector.

Health Education England has undertaken a three-year review of education and training which is being implemented through the Dental Education Reform Programme to improve recruitment and retention.

In July 2022, we announced measures to reform National Health Service dental services to increase access for patients and remunerate dentists fairly for caring for patients with complex needs. We are also working with NHS England and the sector on longer-term improvements to make NHS dentistry a more attractive place to work.