BBC supports campaign for NHS dentists

12.56.12pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th Jul 2008

Liz highlighted Meon Valley's NHS dental crisis with BBC presenter Dominic Littlewood at an event in Bishops Waltham

BBC star presenter Dom Littlewood was in Bishops Waltham yesterday to film a programme about the appalling state of NHS dentistry in Meon Valley. It will be aired in late September on national TV.

Liz Leffman, Prospective Lib Dem MP for Meon Valley, has led a campaign for the past year to bring the desperate state of NHS dental provision to the attention of the local Primary Care Trust, and her work was picked up by BBC researchers.

After surveying areas of Meon Valley last year, Liz found that in Whiteley, Wickham and Southwick, over 50 per cent of people could not find an NHS dentist, while in Clanfield, 64 per cent of people found themselves in the same situation.

The mess has been caused by the new dental contracts brought into use in 2006, where dentists who want to offer NHS treatment have had to agree a contract with the local Primary Care Trust.

Liz said: "Amongst other things, I have been calling for dentists to be directly employed by the NHS as a better way to offer affordable dental treatment. I am campaigning on this subject because we all deserve to have proper dental care."

Liz added: "It is great news that the BBC has picked up on our campaign for better dental services in Meon Valley. This programme will send a sharp message to the government that we want a change."