NHS dentistry is moving in the right direction, says Wes Streeting

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said NHS dentistry is 'moving in the right direction' while acknowledging it remains far from his goal and called it 'shameful' if people have to pull out their own teeth due to lack of dentists.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting spoke to BBC Radio Cornwall about NHS services, saying dentistry is "moving in the right direction" while acknowledging it remains a long way from his goal. He described it as "shameful" if people have had to pull out their own teeth because of lack of dental access. Streeting also highlighted improvements at South Western Ambulance Service, saying ambulance response times in December were 27 minutes faster. He noted Cornwall's geography and single hospital as challenges and said the government wants more care delivered in the community. Key points: - Wes Streeting said NHS dentistry is improving but remains "a far, far cry away" from where he would like it to be. - He described patients pulling out their own teeth due to lack of dentists as "shameful." - Streeting said South Western Ambulance Service saw ambulance arrivals 27 minutes faster in December, which he called real progress. - He highlighted Cornwall's single hospital and geographic challenges and mentioned efforts to expand neighbourhood health services. Summary: The Health Secretary framed NHS dentistry as on a path to recovery while acknowledging significant gaps in access that will take time to rebuild. He pointed to faster ambulance response times in one region and said shifting more care into communities is a priority. Undetermined at this time.