Dentists should plan to reopen in ‘the next few weeks’, MPs say

MPs have said that dentists should plan to reopen in ‘the next few weeks’.

The date is yet to be confirmed but many MPs have questioned why dentists were closed in the first place, and have said they should be open in the ‘next few weeks’ as part of the lockdown easing. 

The second phase of lockdown easing is set to go ahead on June 15th and MPs have called for dentists to be a part of the list, alongside non-essential shops. MPs including Judith Cummings have previously called for further financial support for the closed practises. 

Conservative MP Sir Desmond Swayne told the Telegraph that patients have been left high and dry by dentists closing during the middle of treatments. 

He added: “I can’t see why dentists were closed in the first place, and I can’t see why they can’t reopen straight away.

“We are talking about highly trained, skilled physicians who know how to protect themselves and who are accustomed to wearing PPE anyway. The reality is that patients are not being treated at the urgent centres. All the urgent centres will offer you is an extraction.”

Meanwhile, Chief Dental Officer Sara Hurley has said dentists should expect phased reopening in England 

Dentists in the UK have been closed since the start of lockdown, as aerosol is used for most treatments. The centres that have remained open have been for emergency care only. 

Like many businesses across the country, despite furloughed staff, rent and bills still need to be paid so many are struggling. MPs and practise owners have created a petition to extend the business rate relief to all dentist practises. It now has over 10,000 signatures.