Which MPs and peers raise dentistry access most in Parliament?

Stephen Kinnock, Helen Morgan, Wes Streeting lead the ranking of MPs and peers on dentistry access, based on every Hansard contribution since 9 July 2024.

How is the dentistry access ranking calculated?

Vital Signs ranks MPs and members of the House of Lords by a weighted score of their Hansard contributions on Dentistry access — speeches, written questions and committee work — over the course of this Parliament (since 9 July 2024). Ministerial statements and debate speeches carry more weight than written answers; every contribution counts at full weight however early in the Parliament it was made. Contributions are matched to this topic on whole-word keyword matching, so "send" is never mistaken for SEND and "career" is never mistaken for care. Ministers and shadow ministers are labelled, because answering on a brief is their job rather than a choice to raise it; their scores are shown as-is, not adjusted.

Dentistry access: which MPs and peers raise it most

Since the start of this Parliament, 190 MPs and peers have raised Dentistry access in Hansard debates, written questions and committee work. Debate has cooled recently: mentions over the last two months are down 67% on the two months before.

The debate has been led most vocally by Stephen Kinnock (Labour, Aberafan Maesteg), whose score of 249.0 is 4.0× that of the next most active contributor, Helen Morgan.

By party, Labour leads with 50% of weighted activity, followed by Liberal Democrat (32%) and Conservative (12%). The House of Commons accounts for 95% of all weighted activity on Dentistry access.

Most cited doctors & academics

UK clinicians and academics most frequently quoted as expert sources in press coverage of dentistry access.

Dr Russell Gidney
2 citations
Chair of the BDA's Welsh General Dental Practice Committee
“won't work if the contract in place means the next generation can't see a future for themselves in the NHS”
Wales NHS dental contract delivering half expected work, BDA
Mike Bentley
1 citation
dental business consultant
“dental business consultant Mike Bentley and Boxly co-founder Adam Smith as well as two of the most forward-thinking practice owners in UK dentistry, Kish Patel and Jin Vaghela”
The GDC’s new attitude: the future of regulation
Adam Smith
1 citation
Boxly co-founder
“dental business consultant Mike Bentley and Boxly co-founder Adam Smith as well as two of the most forward-thinking practice owners in UK dentistry, Kish Patel and Jin Vaghela”
The GDC’s new attitude: the future of regulation
Chris Thornhill
1 citation
Founder of Growth Animals
“dentistry attracts people who remain calm under pressure and are motivated by producing high-quality work rather than seeking recognition”
Is your polar bear personality responsible for your career?
Lisa Clarke
1 citation
University Dental Hospital of Manchester
“Winner of the 2026 Max Horsnell Travel Award for an innovative approach to managing dental trauma in a young patient”
Is your polar bear personality responsible for your career?
Jasem Greval
1 citation
Chief Executive of Smile Together
“outlined how the employee-owned community interest company is expanding access to NHS dentistry through community-based services, outreach initiatives and preventive programmes”
Is your polar bear personality responsible for your career?
Dr Ed Garratt
1 citation
chief executive
“dentistry 'remains one of our highest priorities and we're investing in both immediate improvements and long-term solutions to ensure more people can access the care they need.'”
Toothless in England: Dental campaign challenges new NHS board
Shiv Pabary
1 citation
BDA chair of the GDPC
“the elephant in the room regarding reform, which he describes as the 'F-word' (funding), has yet to be addressed”
Funding: the ‘F word’ missing from government contract reform plans

Vital Signs — Dentistry access

Vital Signs — Dentistry access

Mentions since the start of this Parliament

How the ranking works

Debate analysis

Media coverage

Most cited doctors & academics