There is a dental desert in Somerset, which we in Taunton and Wellington are striving to fix broken promises and recover lost smiles.

I have launched a major campaign to address the issues that are affecting so many in the constituency. Through a survey made available to all in Taunton and Wellington, I received more than 2,000 responses of anecdotes and figures that was able to hihglight the broader issue of NHS Dentistry access.

Like the many who have written to me, I was hopeful the new Government would bring in reforms to undo the disappearance of NHS dentistry from Taunton and Wellington which took place under the last Conservative administration.

While the recent announcement of 700,000 extra appointments is welcome, as the BDA has pointed out, that only amounts to two extra appointments per month per NHS dentist and there simply aren’t enough of them.

We think the government’s national figures also underestimate the position here Taunton and Wellington.

They said in February that one in four people have been unable to see an NHS dentist but my research in 2022 showed that figure was just over one in two in Taunton and Wellington.

The cases I’ve received since suggest that now the vast majority are going without an NHS dentist, and of course, many are going without any dentist at all.

From the results of my survey: 71% of adults entitled to free NHS treatment are still unable to access a dentist, moreover 64% of parents in Taunton and Wellington report their children are unable to access dental care through the NHS.

At a time of a rising incidence of mouth cancers, we need to see much more progress from the government. Too many in our area are facing the choice to pay up - or live in pain with bills often running into hundreds of pounds which people can ill afford, especially given the increasing cost of living.

What steps I am taking to address your desperate concerns:

As your MP, I recognise the harrowing picture this paints. Therefore, I intends to push for real, meaningful change in Parliament that can be felt across our constituency and beyond.

Now I am collaborating with Liberal Democrat Councillors and supporting initiatives such as the launch of the Magic Dentist prevention scheme in primary schools around the constituency.

The Magic Dentist charity is collaborating as part of a broader effort to improve public awareness and early dental awareness. Working with local dentists this campaign targets schools to bring oral health education to make dental efforts more proactive, not reactive.

Please check this page and my social media for further updates.