FIGURES have revealed that 50 children were admitted to hospital to have teeth pulled out last year, indicating the severity of the dental crisis across the Cumberland council area.

The data for the year to March 2023, released by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, comes at a time at which there appear to be none, or very few, dentist practices taking on new patients across north Cumbria without a referral.

Of the 50 children, around 15 had their teeth removed due to dental decay.

According to the website Dental Choices, Kirkby Stephen Dental Practice appears to be the only place taking on new patients within the entire county of Cumbria. 

Last week, a Keswick councillor and parliamentary candidate voiced concern over the prospect of NHS contract withdrawal by the Bupa practice in Keswick's Packhorse Court. 

Labour parliamentary candidate for Penrith & Solway Markus Campbell-Savours is urging the practice not to abandon its NHS contract. 

"At a time when many are suffering the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, NHS dentistry has never been more important. I have written to the practice and stressed how key their service is for local people," he said.

"Cumbria has become an NHS dental desert and the Conservatives have simply failed to do anything about it. 

"Earlier this month hundreds queued to register outside an NHS practice in Bristol, forcing the government into an embarrassing policy announcement where they simply pinched part of Labour’s plan for NHS dentistry.

"I’m quite clear though, without reform of the failed dental contract we will continue to see practiced shut the door."

In Carlisle, the nearest practice that is receiving NHS patients is located more than 30 miles away, in Hexham.

In reaction to the crisis, the government has proposed a plan focused on offering roughly 240 dentists one-time payments of up to £20,000 if they work in the most deprived areas for at least three years - a plan which was praised by Penrith and the Border MP, Dr Neil Hudson. 

But this proposal has been met with considerable criticism.

Cllr Brian Wernham, the Lib Dem candidate for Carlisle, argued: "The proposed extra £6,666 annually over three years for each dentist is a sum too small to significantly improve service provision.

"Carlisle needs a comprehensive dental healthcare rescue plan."