Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

What steps he is taking to increase the recruitment of dentists in rural areas.

We do recognise the recruitment and retention of dentists, particularly in rural areas, is challenging.

I have met with the Chief Dental Officer this week and we are actively looking at how we can increase the number of dentists and improve services access and reach.

This includes our ambitions for the dental workforce in the interim NHS People Plan, which proposes more flexible innovative dental training pathways, and new skill-mix models to increase access to dentistry, particularly in rural areas.

If you want to meet with me please let my office know.