In a recent opinion piece for The Mirror, Health Minister Stephen Kinnock addresses the ongoing crisis in NHS dentistry, highlighting how prolonged issues of access to dental care have led desperate individuals to resort to DIY dentistry. He underlines the serious health risks associated with self-treatment, as many people are attempting to alleviate dental pain or problems without professional help – often leading to more severe complications.

Kinnock emphasizes the government's commitment to mitigate this crisis by pledging to provide an additional 700,000 urgent dental appointments, a measure he believes is crucial to ensure that people can receive the care they need. He notes that Integrated Care Boards are actively commissioning these additional appointments to help fill the gaps in service. Despite these efforts, he expresses concern that not all patients are benefiting, particularly due to the restricted criteria that define what constitutes an 'urgent' dental issue.

The article sheds light on the broader implications of these gaps in the dental care system, revealing a concerning trend where individuals are forced to take health matters into their own hands due to inadequate access to professional care. Kinnock calls for a reevaluation of these criteria to better address patient needs and prevent further health deterioration stemming from DIY solutions.