Liz Jarvis MP gives Government one-year target to fix Eastleigh’s ‘painfully inadequate’ NHS dental care

Liz Jarvis, the Lib Dem MP for Eastleigh has tabled an amendment to the Health Bill, which if accepted, would force the Government to fix local NHS dental provision within one year of the Act being passed.

Adults and children in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have been suffering with “painfully inadequate” NHS dental care according to the local MP - the area saw 161,748 children left without a dental appointment in the two years to June 2025. 

If the one-year target is not met - the amendment would directly hold the Secretary of State to account and Yvette Cooper would need to appear before a public meeting in the Eastleigh and explain why it has not happened.

By tabling this amendment, Liz Jarvis MP is working to tackle the issue of dental deserts in Eastleigh and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Region. 

It comes as the Liberal Democrats launch a campaign for a “dental A&E” in every community,  so that anyone with a dental issue can get NHS treatment, 7 days a week. The party has pledged a dental rescue package to guarantee NHS dentistry for anyone needing urgent or emergency care, along with checkups for children and vulnerable groups like new mothers. 

Lib Dem MP for Eastleigh, Liz Jarvis MP, said:

“The lack of access to NHS dental care in Eastleigh is shocking. According to the NHS website, there are just 3 dentists currently accepting new adult patients in Eastleigh”.

“That is why I have tabled an amendment to the Health Bill demanding the Secretary of State guarantee a dental service fit for our community.

“Yvette Cooper now has a clear choice: back this one-year target to restore local care, or stick her fingers in her ears and pretend this crisis doesn't exist.”