An all-party parliamentary group (APPG) for dentistry has been launched. Headed by Professor Jimmy Steele, who was chosen by the Department of Health to lead the independent review of NHS dentistry in England, each of the all-party group's activities will help it achieve its aim of acting as a focus for dental and oral health issues, raising the profile of dentistry and highlighting the views of patients and practitioners.

Back row from left: Sir Paul Beresford (Secretary – Conservative, Mole Valley) and Dr Doug Naysmith (Vice Chair – Labour, Bristol North West). Front row from left: Sandra Gidley (Vice Chair – Liberal Democrat, Romsey), Charlotte Atkins (Chair – Labour, Staffordshire Moorlands), and Lord Lea of Crondall (Vice Chair – Labour Peer) Credit: Picture courtesy of Acumen images

Professor Steele addressed a gathering of MPs, Peers and dental stakeholders, outlining the remit of the review he is leading and the progress he has made so far. The meeting, led by the Chair of the APPG for dentistry, Labour MP for Staffordshire Moorlands Charlotte Atkins, was the first in a programme of events and visits that are planned to take place in 2009.

The British Dental Association was elected as Secretariat to the group. Chair of the BDA Executive Board Susie Sanderson said that group would act as a focus for dental issues at Westminster and help to further understanding among Parliamentarians of the importance of good oral health and suitable provision of dental care.