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Tory election pledge
5th May 2005There will be more NHS dentists if a Tory Government is elected, the party's health spokesman pledged during the election campaign. Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: ‘Today, fewer people are registered with an NHS dentist than seven years ago. The Conservatives' policy will bring NHS dentists back to the high streets.’ He added: ‘It offers patients access to their dentist either free of all charges or on an affordable basis, and has been welcomed by the profession.’ Mr Lansley made his remarks after Labour had admitted that state dental services were in crisis, following a public stampede to sign up with a Spanish dentist about to start NHS work in Spalding, Lincolnshire. More than 1,500 people queued up for up to seven hours to register with 23-year old Jimena Colino. Labour Health Minister Stephen Ladyman claimed the Government was already tackling the crisis in dentistry. The Tories also pledge to: • Match Labour’s commitments on increased funding for dentistry • Pay dentists for each registered patient, rather than each treatment, encouraging them to register more NHS patients • Train more dentists by inviting bids from dental schools wanting to expand their facilities.



