Ahead of next month's General Election, Isle of Wight West MP hopefuls have been having their say on the Island's dental crisis.

Healthwatch Isle of Wight has said lack of available appointments is causing distress to many Islanders — and there are no signs of things improving.

In 120 words, the County Press asked the six MP candidates in the West what they would do to tackle the issue, should they be elected.

Here's what they said...

For the Isle of Wight Green Party, Cameron Palin, said: "The dental crisis is a nationwide issue but is exacerbated on the Island affecting almost every household!

"Islanders desperately needing treatment should NOT be forced to go private, not only because many could not afford it but like our NHS, this vital service should be free at the point of use. We must invest in NHS Dentistry now, this should be done through a direct cash boost in real terms and ending the privatisation of these vital services.

"After 14 years of Conservative austerity all our services are crumbling. We should not be thankful to the Conservatives for a tiny gesture of the mobile dentist, we need permanent dentists on the Island and that only happens with direct investment."

Ian Pickering, for Reform UK, said: "The health of someone’s teeth and mouth is equally as important as the rest of their body and regular check-ups are important in preventing both tooth decay and other serious conditions.

"I believe that the way to begin to solve this crisis is that we must invest in NHS Dental Surgeries by employing Dentists on a salary rather than as a business.

"The salary must be attractive enough to recruit and retain them, as the payment through Units of Dental Activity model is far too complicated.

"Unrealistic target setting for Dental Practices has seen the number decline since the system was introduced in 2006 and the reduction in NHS services has been followed by the inevitable rise in private practice."

Island Labour's Richard Quigley said: "I've been working with dentists on the Island, who're desperate to do more NHS work, but can't as the way dentistry is funded actually acts as an obstruction.

"The Labour Party will provide 700,000 urgent dental appointments and reform NHS dental contracts, offer incentives for dentists to work in areas with the greatest need, such as the Isle of Wight.

"We will also introduce supervised toothbrushing in schools for three to five year olds, as it's proven to improve dental health long term and it moves the focus to prevention, so in the long term, everyone who needs NHS dentistry can access it."

Isle of Wight Conservative Party candidate, Bob Seely, said: "It’s not acceptable, and we need to do more. After Covid, many dentists handed back their NHS contracts.

"To deliver improvements, we announced a new NHS Dentistry plan earlier this year. It includes the following: 

  • Dental practitioners will receive increased payment for every patient treated, plus additional payment for treating a new patient.
  • Higher payments for treating those requiring complex dental work.
  • Mobile dental teams visiting schools.

"On the Island, the dental bus started visiting earlier this year and I’ve spoken with NHS funders about increasing its frequency. 

"More money is being allocated per UDA (Unit of Dental Activity) and we’ve discussed long-term plans to attract additional dentists to the Island, including a Dental School in Portsmouth."

Nick Stuart, for the Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats, had not provided an answer at the time of press.

Alliance for Democracy and Freedom (ADF) party candidate, Rachel Thacker, said: "Dentistry needs reintegrating back into the NHS."

  • For Isle of Wight East: Emily Brothers, Labour; David Groocock, Independent; Michael Lilley, Liberal Democrats; Vix Lowthion, Green Party; Sarah Morris, Reform UK; Joe Robertson, Conservatives.