Truro and Falmouth MP Cherlyn Mackrory has welcomed changes to how NHS dentist are paid for their work.

She says NHS dentists will receive fairer payments for delivering complex dental care to incentivise practices to take on high needs patients who require treatment the most.

Previously, dentists would receive the same payments for all treatments delivered within band two, which includes fillings and tooth extractions, regardless of the amount of time taken to deliver the work.

This meant dentists may not have been able to afford to take on patients who had not seen a dentist for an extended period who require more extensive treatment as a result.

The contract changes, which come into force today, will provide fairer payments to dentists by taking into account the time taken to do the work, incentivising practices to provide the care needed for patients with complex and high needs.

Cherilyn said: “There has long been a problem with finding an NHS dentist in Cornwall, and I have been working with my Cornish MP colleagues to solve it since my election in 2019.

“This announcement from the Government shows they have been listening and are taking action. These measures will help to reduce long waiting times and the extended periods of pain many people across Cornwall suffer from as they wait for care.

"These changes are a good start and I look forward to continuing to press the Government to ensure dental care in Cornwall is accessible and affordable to everyone who needs it.”

Health Minster Neil O’Brien said: “I am determined to make sure everybody seeking NHS dental care can receive it when they need it.

"Our new contract rewards dentists more fairly for taking on high needs patients and delivering treatments to those who need it most.

"It will not solve all the problems overnight, but it will help improve access and ensure the system supports dentists and their teams.”