Malvern will benefit from a significant rise in dental appointments, West Worcestershire MP Dame Harriett Baldwin has learned.

Staffing shortages over recent years meant some practices stopped registering new NHS patients, but data for the area shows that from this year, Malvern’s dental capacity will exceed pre-pandemic levels.

In February, the previous Government introduced a £200 million Dental Recovery Plan that incentivised dentists to see more NHS patients and took measures to help staff recruitment and retention.

The news was confirmed after Dame Harriett met with the local Integrated Care Board and British Dental Association to understand the status of Malvern’s dental provision.

Dame Harriett said:

“I was delighted to be told that Malvern will receive a significant boost to its dental provision, and I hope that residents will notice improvements soon.

“Since the pandemic many constituents have complained to me that they or family members were unable to register for NHS dental services as new patients.

“Thanks to the steps the previous Government took to encourage dentists to carry out NHS work and train more dental students, Malvern’s dentistry is returning to a much better level.

“I will continue to raise this issue in Parliament and with local health leaders, and I hope that the new Government builds on this progress when it reviews the NHS Dental Contract.”

Photo: Dame Harriett Baldwin MP with the British Dental Association’s Eddie Crouch.