Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the forthcoming Green Paper on adult social care will include proposals to improve dental care for those living in residential care homes and supported housing.

While we are currently unable to confirm exact details of the Green Paper, NHS England has a legal duty to commission National Health Service dental services to meet local need including people living in care homes.

The forthcoming Green Paper will be based on a number of principles including whole-person, integrated care with the NHS and social care systems operating as one.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Oral health in care homes quality standard provides guidance to care home staff on assessing the oral health needs of patients on admission and advises on the need for residents to be helped to find a dentist if they do not already have one. A copy of the quality standard is attached.