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Thousands of members of the armed forces are waiting for dental treatment.
By David Williamson, Sunday Express Political Editor
19:49, Sat, May 11, 2024 | UPDATED: 19:49, Sat, May 11, 2024
More than 12,000 military personnel need treatment for large cavities and wisdom teeth (Image: Getty)
The disclosure that nearly 30,000 members of the armed forces were waiting for dental treatment has triggered cross-party concern. Nearly 12,300 personnel needed treatment for conditions such as a large cavity, gum disease or a wisdom tooth causing decay in December.
MPs have called for action so morale in the forces is not damaged. More than 17,200 members of the military had more minor symptoms including small cavities or less serious gum disease.
Former Conservative defence minister Sarah Atherton – a former nurse and social worker who served in the Intelligence Corps – said: “On the face of it these statistics do not give reassurance that dental care provision is being effectively delivered throughout our armed forces. It’s issues like this that affects the morale of our service personnel and the Military Dental Service and the poor oral health of some of our service personnel should be addressed as a matter of urgency.”
Luke Pollard, Labour’s shadow armed forces minister, said: “Nearly 30,000 personnel waiting for dental treatment is the latest example of how the Conservatives have failed our forces over the last 14 years. The last 14 Conservative years have corroded the nation’s contract with those who serve.”
He claimed that personnel were “living in damp and mouldy housing” and that morale had slumped by a third with retention rates also dropping.
Mr Pollard pledge to “renew the nation’s contract with those who serve,” saying: “Labour in Government will legislate to establish an Armed Forces Commissioner to act as a strong independent champion for our forces and their families to improve service life.”
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A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: “We care deeply about our personnel and all service personnel are provided with regular and free access to dental care, including 24/7 emergency care and online tailored oral health advice.”
She said that the 17,221 people in “Nato category two” had conditions that are “generally very minor issues and do not prevent personnel from being deployed”.
She added that the Ministry of Defence has “increased dental screening for service personnel to improve dental fitness, resulting in higher levels of treatments being reported”.
People in Nato category two are not expected to face a dental emergency within 12 months. However, the 12,283 people in Nato category three in December last year had conditions likely to result in an emergency if not treated.
The Ministry of Defence says it has delivered the biggest pay increase in 20 years and frozen daily food costs as well as saving families up to £3,400 per child per year by extending “wraparound” children.
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