![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/plymouth-schoolchildren-campaign-for-better-dental-care/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/127655071_dentistuse.jpg&description=Image caption, The schoolchildren launched a campaign to raise awareness of the lack of NHS dental provision in the cityPrimary schoolchildren in Plymouth have launched a campaign to highlight a lack of NHS dental provision.Pupils at Whitleigh Community Primary School launched their drive after teacher Sarah O'Neill surveyed parents.Ms O'Neill said nearly 50% of children were not on the books of an NHS dentist, while more than a quarter of those who were couldn't get an appointment.She added: "It makes me really sad."The teacher said she canvassed parents on access to dental care after she couldn't find a place for her own children.Image caption, Teacher Sarah O'Neill said the lack of provision was "alarming"She found the responses from more than 100 parents "alarming", she said."I grew up having six-monthly check-ups and making sure that my teeth were healthy and my mouth was healthy."The "concerning" results have sparked action in the classroom, with pupils launching a campaign to get better access, creating posters - and even penning a song demanding "what's fair".Head teacher Gavin Summerfield said they were "firm believers" that children had the right to good dental care.Image caption, Gavin Summerfield said children had a right to good dental careIn August, a BBC investigation could not find a single dental practice in Devon taking on new adult NHS patients.Nationwide, the survey found nine out of 10 practices asked were not taking on patients, including all 69 practices with NHS contracts contacted in Devon. Across the UK, eight out of 10 practices were refusing to take children.Responding to the children's campaign, the British Dental Association said the government's NHS dental budget had "for a decade" failed to keep pace with inflation and population growth. Ahead of the Autumn Statement, the association's chairman Eddie Crouch said: "Ministers need to wake up and listen to these parents."NHS dentistry is on the brink, but instead of support and investmen){kind=link}
Primary schoolchildren in Plymouth have launched a campaign to highlight a lack of NHS dental provision.
Pupils at Whitleigh Community Primary School launched their drive after teacher Sarah O’Neill surveyed parents.
Ms O’Neill said nearly 50% of children were not on the books of an NHS dentist, while more than a quarter of those who were couldn’t get an appointment.
She added: “It makes me really sad.”
The teacher said she canvassed parents on access to dental care after she couldn’t find a place for her own children.