MP launches dentistry survey as campaign is stepped up

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has asked local residents to share their experiences of dentistry here in Cumbria. Tim is building up a case file to take to the Department of Health as part of the campaign to improve local dental provision in South Lakeland.

Tim is asking local residents to share their views with him about dentistry over twitter and facebook so he can build up a picture of what is required.

Since the new dental contracts were introduced in 2006, Cumbria has seen an 11% fall in the number of patients being seen by an NHS dentist. During the same period, the North West as a whole saw a 3.1% rise. Almost 50% of South Lakes' residents do not have access to an NHS dentist, including hundreds of local children.

Tim has expressed his concern at the apparent failure of the NHS in Cumbria to ensure enough residents have access to NHS dentistry. Now Tim is asking local residents for their views and experiences to add to his evidence base to take to the government.

Tim said: "I am asking local residents to tell me their experiences and views about the service that I will take to government as part of our campaign to improve dental provision in the South Lakes."

"It's clear that as dentists left the profession in the wake of the 2006 changes, they have not been replaced in sufficient numbers. NHS Cumbria needs to take action now to improve this situation quickly."

Residents can contact Tim on Facebook at www.facebook.com/timfarronmp or on twitter @timfarron. Tim can also be contacted by email - tim@timfarron.co.uk - or via his Kendal office.