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Dentistry

Asked by Mr Peter BedfordConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 4 June 2025UIN 54557

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help increase the number of UK-trained qualified dentists.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock

We are determined to rebuild National Health Service dentistry, but it will take time and there are no quick fixes. Strengthening the workforce is key to our ambitions.

Integrated care boards are recruiting posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see up to 240 dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years.

We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS. A central part of the plan will be our workforce and how we ensure we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities.

We will ensure the NHS has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it.

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