70 children under 11 in Sefton were admitted to hospital for tooth extraction last year, new government figures show.

People are finding it increasingly difficult to get an NHS dentist, as 12 years of Tory mismanagement of the health service is seeing dentists quitting in droves. 2,000 dentists quit the NHS last year, around 10% of all dentists employed in England.

An estimated 4 million people can’t access NHS care and with some parts of the country now described as ‘dentistry deserts’, because remaining NHS dentists aren’t taking on new patients.

According to the British Dentistry Association, emergency teeth extractions are now the most common reason for children to go to hospital.

Labour is demanding that the Government acts and has tabled a motion calling on Sajid Javid to bring forward a plan to ensure everyone who needs an NHS dentist can access one.

Commenting, Peter Dowd MP said:

“Children in Sefton are ending up in hospital because they can’t get the dental treatment they need.

“The Conservative’s failure to fix this crisis is putting the oral health of children at increasing risk.

“The Government must get a grip and ensure children in Sefton can be seen on time and prevent this crisis worsening.”