Suffolk mums on their struggle to find free NHS dental care for children in the Bury St Edmunds and Mildenhall area
Mums have criticised the ‘frustrating’ lack of free NHS dental care in Suffolk - with one having to take her children to Milton Keynes for six monthly check ups.
Another, was unable to find a NHS dentist when she was pregnant with both of her sons, now aged one and three, and has since struggled to find a practice willing to take them.
Research, highlighted by the Liberal Democrats, showed that 82,704 children in the area covered by the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care board, had not been seen by an NHS dentist in the year leading up to June 2023.
The figures, compiled by the party using data from the House of Commons Library, also estimated 44.9 per cent of children had not been seen by any dentist in the last 24 months.
Mark Jones, campaign co-ordinator for Toothless in Suffolk, said: “These figures put down on paper and ink what is being witnessed and experienced throughout the county.”
The campaigner, who also heads up Toothless in England, said he had 100 per cent sympathy for parents left in limbo, trying to find a dentist for their children.
Toothless in Suffolk has heard of families where children have gone through school having never seen a dentist.
“It is vitally important that children have good oral health in their early years,” said Mr Jones.
“If you start off in your life with good oral health and maintain it then your overall general health is likely to be improved as a consequence.”
Chloe’s story
Chloe Foreman, 37, of Badwell Ash, near Bury St Edmunds, said it is bleak to think about the number of children in the county that aren’t able to access NHS dental care.
Her eldest son Theo, three, has never seen a dentist and Chloe was close to giving up on finding an NHS one, before she secured a space for him at a dental practice in Stowmarket last week.
Chloe, also mum to one-year-old Jacob, said: “I would love to see practices take on children under the age of 18 via the NHS.
“This would help a lot of families regardless of their economic situation.
“I don’t mind paying for my own dental care. I’m an adult and I make my own choices but it’s surely so important to consider all children’s health.”
The mum-of-two said it had been a ‘stressful and frustrating’ experience trying to find an NHS dentist for her sons.
Jessica’s story
Mum-of-two Jessica Johnson, of Beck Row, near Mildenhall, is still registered with her dentist in Milton Keynes, despite moving to Suffolk two years ago.
She said it had been very difficult to try and find spaces for her children, aged six and three, and even more of a challenge to find a space for herself.
Now, her and her family travel back to Milton Keynes where they used to live for six monthly check ups.
Jessica said: “The closest NHS dentist I could find that would have the kids is a one hour drive away from me, so I may as well stick to the arrangement I have now.
“I feel sorry for people who don’t drive and don’t have that option at all.”
When asked what she would change about the current system, Jessica said: “I would make NHS spaces compulsory for kids and pregnant people across the board.
“I imagine there will be a generation of people with tooth issues as they couldn’t afford the probate fees for check ups and only make it to an NHS emergency dentist when it’s too late.”
Angela’s story
Angela York, of Lakenheath, said her eldest child, now aged nine, didn’t see a dentist until she was seven - as there were no NHS dentists taking patients locally.
Her youngest daughter, aged four, had only seen a dentist once, due to an accident involving her teeth. She was seen by an emergency dentist in Stowmarket.
It was only recently she was able to get them an NHS dentist appointment at a practice in Mildenhall.
The mum-of-two still has not been able to find an NHS dentist for herself and pays £100 for her private check ups.
She said: “At the very least NHS dentistry should be available for under 18’s and for maternal dental care.
“It is just a whole new health crisis brewing up in the UK of children and adults with neglected teeth that will impact on other areas of their health eventually.”
Henry Batchelor, Liberal Democrat candidate for West Suffolk and Peter McDonald, candidate for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket said: “It is appalling that so many children in our area are struggling to see an NHS dentist when they need to.
“We know that if children can’t access dental health care it can disrupt their eating, sleeping and learning.”
Jo Churchill, MP for Bury St Edmunds, and Matt Hancock MP for West Suffolk, were approached for comment.
