I have been working with local dentists across the constituency and with colleagues in Westminster for some time to tackle the issue of access to NHS dentistry.

That is why I was delighted, after all this campaigning, the new health secretary promised to prioritise dentistry as part of her four point plan for the NHS, ABCD – ambulances, backlogs, care, doctors, and dentists.

I believe anyone who wants or needs to see an NHS dentist should be able to access one but recent research found nationally nine in 10 surgeries have closed their books to new NHS patients.

Many of my constituents are facing difficulties accessing the care they need and some are telling me they have been removed from NHS lists.

They are finding it extremely difficult to find alternative providers and many are left with no option but to forgo the dental care they need. 

Dentists across the country are increasingly reducing their NHS commitment or quitting the service altogether and this problem will only get worse and inequalities will continue to widen unless urgent and decisive action is taken.

No-one should be forced to pay privately because no NHS provision is available. We need to invest in dentistry, look at recruitment and tackle staff retention to secure the future of NHS dentistry. 

Last week the health secretary addressed some of the things I have called for by confirming changes had been made to dental contracts to incentivise dentists to do more NHS work, along with streamlining routes into NHS dentistry for those trained overseas.

She also said it will be mandatory for surgeries to publish online if they are taking on new NHS patients. 

But I want to see us go further and ensure we have a fully costed robust plan to tackle the crisis in NHS dentistry so my constituents can access the services they deserve.

I will be putting questions to the health secretary in the coming weeks calling for more detail on how she will deliver on the plan to ensure anyone who wants an NHS dentist can access one.