As MPs debate the prospect of extending free NHS dentistry to cancer patients*, the British Dental Association (BDA) has renewed its call for reform of NHS dentistry, with analysis of official data revealing one and a quarter million new mums have missed out on free dental care due to the pandemic.

Patients are entitled to free NHS dental care if they are pregnant when they start treatment, and for 12 months after the baby is born, but uptake for both groups crashed during the pandemic.

In the five years prior to the pandemic, an average of over 840,000 maternity claims were made per year. This plummeted to 245,967 in 2020/21, to 490,298 in 2021/22, and to just 542,353 by 2022/23, leaving an estimated 1,241,838 maternity appointments lost since lockdown.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make gums more vulnerable to plaque, leading to inflammation and bleeding. Changes to dietary habits and morning sickness can also damage teeth. Research also suggests that fever or infections from dental problems can also cause serious adverse effects for both mother and child.

The BDA believes charges are the wrong way to fund NHS dentistry, and says many groups have a strong case for exemption. However, it stresses these data show the reality is that there really isn't enough NHS dentistry to go round.

Commenting on the news, Preet Kaur Gill, Shadow Minister for Primary Care and Public Health, said: ‘It's shocking that after 14 years of Tory mismanagement, vulnerable patients are unable to access the care they desperately need. Eight in ten NHS dentists aren't accepting any new adult NHS patients and in some areas it's 99%.

‘Everyone should be able to access NHS care when they need it. It's particularly important for pregnant women and new mothers, due to the risk of poor oral health in pregnancy.

‘Labour has a plan to rescue and rebuild NHS dentistry, funded by cracking down on tax dodgers. We will deliver 700,000 additional urgent appointments a year, recruit dentists to areas most in need, and get straight to work on reforming the outdated NHS dental contract.'

*Debate is a response to this petition: https://www.change.org/p/free-dental-treatment-for-cancer-patients-change-the-law.