Letter from Jenni Miles (From This Is Wiltshire)

Letter from Jenni Miles

10:31am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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THE Green Party launched its dental health policy today which could lead to a return of one of the founding principles of the NHS - free at the point of use. Everyone who wants one will have access to an NHS dentist under the Green Party guarantee ending the current post code lottery.

We believe that fluoridation is just a sticking plaster solution of doubtful efficacy and is in no way a substitute for a proper dental healthcare strategy. We need to be teaching new parents how to look after their toddlers' teeth, and teaching young children from nursery onwards how to look after their own teeth properly.

Currently, only half the UK population is provided with free dental healthcare and NHS dentistry charges are a regressive tax: they hit the poor hardest and prevent many from accessing dental care. Less than half of the UK adult population and only around two thirds of children are visiting NHS dentists. The percentage of children who have visited NHS dentists within the previous 24 months has fallen in recent years - a worrying sign.

In a carefully costed plan the Green Party have promised: free basic dental care available to all, that everyone will have access to an NHS dentist if they want one and a comprehensive dental health strategy including proper education for children and their parents.

Jenni Miles Green Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Swindon South Thurlestone Road Swindon