NHS dentists ‘very weak’ and ‘not fit for purpose’, health leaders warn

Published

3 months ago

February 13, 2025

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NHS dentists are “very weak” and “not fit for purpose”, England’s chief medical officer has warned.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty has told MPs that a lack of NHS dentistry access for children will set them up for “lifelong poor dental health”.

Speaking at the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament, Sir Chris said: “The NHS dental system is very weak and has got weaker over time.

“I think we would all say this is a problem, particularly for those who find it difficult to get dental services when they need them in states of emergency.

“So I think everyone should agree that the NHS dentistry is in a much weaker state than most other areas of the NHS.”

Sir Chris added: “The last time I think most people in the country would consider that NHS dentistry was operating as they would anticipate it should do was probably in the early 1990s and the changes since then have all tended to either do nothing or make things worse.”

Sir Chris, who is also the interim permanent secretary at the Department for Health and Social Care, stressed that early prevention “is absolutely critical”.

However, he added the “very sad reality” was the opposite.

The professor also warned that a “common procedure” among children in hospital is the “destruction of teeth” due to tooth decay – which sets them up “for lifelong poor dental health”.

Data shows as many as six in 10 children have rotting teeth by the age of five – with stark differences between the poorer regions of England, and the more affluent.

For example, the number of five-year-olds with poor dental hygiene was on the rise in London, the North East and the South West.

Sir Chris, and other NHS leaders, criticised the NHS ‘recovery plan’ put in place by the previous Conservative government for failing to deliver new dentists or more appointments.

The Dental Recovery Plan was first introduced by Conservative health ministers in February 2024 – an attempt to tackle England’s NHS dentistry crisis. It promised to introduce 1.5 million new treatments for patients.

But when asked if the plan was on track, Sir Chris said: “The very short answer is no.”

The committee also heard that while the number of dentists has risen, the number providing discounted NHS care has decreased.

UK

Man arrested at Luton Airport in connection with fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer

Published

2 hours ago

May 17, 2025

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Man arrested at Luton Airport in connection with fires at properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer

A second man has been arrested in connection with fires at two properties and a car linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The 26-year-old was arrested around 1.45pm at Luton Airport on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.

The arrest was made by counter terrorism officers. The man has been taken into police custody in London.

It comes after a Ukrainian man, 21, was charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.

Roman Lavrynovych appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday and was remanded in custody.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command led the investigation because of the connections to the prime minister.

Emergency services were called to a fire in the early hours of Monday at a house in Kentish Town, north London, where Sir Keir lived with his family before the election.

Damage was caused to the property’s entrance, but nobody was hurt.

A car was also set alight in the same street last Thursday.

There was another blaze at the front door of a house converted into flats in Islington, also linked to the prime minister, on Sunday.

One person was taken to safety via an internal staircase by crews wearing breathing apparatus.

UK

Crystal Palace celebrate historic FA Cup win after victory over Manchester City

Published

4 hours ago

May 17, 2025

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Crystal Palace celebrate historic FA Cup win after victory over Manchester City

Crystal Palace are celebrating a historic win in the FA Cup after a 1-0 victory against Manchester City at Wembley.

It’s the south London club’s first major trophy – and third time lucky after losing two previous finals they have played in. The win also means Palace have qualified for next season’s Europa League.

Eberechi Eze put his side 1-0 up with the game’s only goal in the 16th minute.

Man City were given a chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty in the 33rd minute, but Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson – who had earlier escaped a red card for a handball outside the box – saved Omar Marmoush’s spot kick.

It briefly seemed the south London team had gone 2-0 up after a 58th-minute strike from Daniel Munoz but the goal was quickly ruled offside.

They then held onto their 1-0 lead until the final whistle, which came after an agonising 10 minutes of injury time.

Oliver Glasner’s team were the underdogs despite Manchester City having had a difficult season in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola’s side also lost to their neighbours and rivals Manchester United in last year’s cup final.

‘It’s all about spirit’

Palace goalscorer Eze said he had “no words” as he celebrated with his team mates.

“I can only thank God,” he told ITV. “This is special, this is what dreams are made of, for this club as well. Who would have thought we could do it?

“We’ve made history today. The tactics were good but it’s all about spirit. That’s energy, that’s everyone fighting together and doing what we had to do today.”

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