Jim Shannon MP, Judith Cummins MP, and Caroline Flint MP receive 'smile-friendly' Christmas stockings
Earlier this month, the BDA had the pleasure of hosting Parliamentarians, civil servants and oral health stakeholders at the annual Christmas reception of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Dentistry and Oral Health, to which we provide secretariat.
The APPG, which was established a decade ago, brings together industry stakeholders with MPs and Peers from across the political spectrum to raise the profile of dentistry and campaign to improve oral health and the quality of dental services.
Steve Brine MP, the Health Minister responsible for dentistry, addressed the gathering, giving an update on the progress of dental contract reform, Starting Well and action on sugar, and assuring the dental stakeholders that "his door was always open" to them. The guests also heard from the Chair of the APPG Sir Paul Beresford MP and BDA Chair Mick Armstrong.
The reception, which was sponsored by the Wrigley Oral Health Foundation and organised by the BDA, was very well attended with over 40 MPs and Lords joining the representatives of all major oral health organisations, dental press, senior civil servants to talk about oral health issues – and enjoy Christmas stockings full of 'smile-friendly' gifts.
We will be following up on the many useful conversations we had at the event in the New Year as we continue to raise the profile of dentistry in Parliament and make the case for real investment in dental services and a new dental contract with prevention at its core.
Anna Wojnilko
BDA Public Affairs Adviser
What does the APPG for Dentistry and Oral Health do?
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Dentistry and Oral Health is a forum for dental and oral health issues in Parliament, and works to raise the profile of dentistry, highlighting the views of both patients and the profession.
The APPG brings together key stakeholders to meet with MPs and Peers from across the political spectrum and raise awareness of oral health issues and the quality of dental services across the UK.
The Group hosts regularly events in Parliament, inviting expert speakers, including ministers, dentists, patient representatives and NHS officials. We welcome any Parliamentarians interested in the topic of oral health to get engaged with the issues facing their constituents, patients and the profession - please get in touch for more details.
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We campaign on a range of issues affecting dentists and dentistry today. We make sure that dentists' views are represented when it comes to health policy being developed by government and other key organisations.
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