Wiltshire MP Calls on Community to Calls on Towns and Villages to Speak Up on NHS Dentistry

Sarah Gibson, MP for Chippenham, Calne, Corsham, Lyneham and Royal Wootton Bassett is urging local residents to take part in a new Government consultation on NHS dentistry reforms, saying that community voices are vital to improving services in the area.

Sarah Gibson MP has been campaigning since July 2024 for major changes to the way NHS dental services are funded and delivered. After months of raising the issue in Parliament through debates, motions, and direct questions to ministers, she has welcomed the Government’s move to seek public feedback.

“Whilst this is a step in the right direction, it has taken far too long for the Government to begin addressing the crisis in NHS dentistry,” Sarah said. “For too long, people here have struggled to get NHS dental appointments, they are being forced to go to A&E, and in some cases, resorting to DIY dentistry.”

“All this was made worse when, last year, Hathaway Dental Practice stopped seeing NHS patients. When it comes to NHS dentistry, the Government has been fiddling around the edges, rather than tackling the problem head on.”

The consultation, called “NHS dentistry contract: quality and payment reforms,” looks at how dentists are paid, and how services are provided. These changes could make a big difference to the way patients across Wiltshire receive dental care. 

“This consultation is open to everyone, not just dentists. If we want an NHS that works for people here in Wiltshire, we need to tell the Government directly. That is why I am encouraging people to share their views and personal experiences by completing this consultation.” 

The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 19 August 2025, and can be completed online at:
www.consultations.dhsc.gov.uk/nhs-dentistry-contract-quality-and-payment-reforms.

Anyone who would like Sarah Gibson MP to include their comments in her own response to the consultation can email sarah.gibson.mp@parliament.uk or write to:
Sarah Gibson MP, House of Commons, Westminster, SW1A 0AA.