Harrogate and Knaresborough MP calls for dental rescue plan

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has called for urgent Government action to save NHS dentistry, following a parliamentary backbench debate on the growing crisis.

Since being elected in July, Tom has consistently championed and supported dentists in Harrogate and Knaresborough. He has previously called for comprehensive reform to support the sector, including orthodontist practices that are often overlooked by Government policy. He has also backed two parliamentary motions focused on NHS dentistry – EDM 1214 and EDM 1240.

Tom’s warnings come amid alarming new figures revealing that 8,500 dentists have left the profession in the last four years, with a further 4,079 nearing retirement age. Meanwhile, 329 NHS contracts have recently been handed back by practices unable to stay afloat under current funding arrangements.

In North Yorkshire alone, 20 dentists left the profession in 2024, and 37 were over the retirement age of 55 in 2023/24 – representing 14% of all local dentists.

These workforce pressures are having real-world consequences. In 2024, more than 16,000 people across the UK ended up in A\&E with tooth decay, which remains the leading cause of hospitalisation among 5–9-year-olds.

Adding to the pressure, dental practices are now facing higher costs due to the Labour Government’s rise in employer National Insurance – a change the Government admits it did not conduct an impact assessment on before pushing through.

To tackle the crisis, Tom and the Liberal Democrats have proposed a £750 million NHS dentistry rescue package. The plan includes reforming NHS dental contracts to attract dentists back from the private sector, using flexible commissioning to better meet local needs, and launching an emergency scheme to guarantee free NHS check-ups for those already eligible.

Commenting, Tom said:

“It’s appalling that our NHS services are being left to crumble like this and the consequences cannot be overstated. Parents in our area are forced to see their children in terrible pain, even having to go to A\&E because the care they need just isn’t available.

“The previous Conservative government’s neglect was utterly shameful and showed they couldn’t be trusted with our NHS. But the current Labour Government has been asleep at the wheel and hasn’t turned the tide either.

“We need proper funding and urgent reform of NHS dentistry – and that starts with backing the Liberal Democrats’ rescue package, so families in Harrogate and Knaresborough can get the care they deserve.”

ENDS