Toothless in England is the national hub of a volunteer-led, grassroots campaign that’s calling for ‘An NHS dentist for everyone’.

Founded in 2021, ‘Toothless’ has grown incredibly quickly. The campaign is becoming part of the public consciousness, and frequently the go-to organisation for local, regional, national, and international media seeking comment from an independent and patient-centred group.

We’ve launched over 10 regional/county/city campaign groups, held dozens of street stalls, we’ve been invited to speak at a number of webinars, conducted numerous newspaper, television and radio interviews, spoken to hundreds of patients on the streets, thousands have joined our Facebook groups, we saw in excess of 150 people join our march and rally in Bury St Edmunds, in Suffolk we organised several emergency dental treatment mobile surgeries through the Dentaid charity, we’ve received thousands of emails containing stories of pain and anguish, DIY dentistry, and feelings of hopelessness and abandonment.

The organisation operates a flat volunteer structure – no one person has more of a say over the other – and it receives no funding. Out of pocket expenses such as the odd print run of leaflets is picked up by the individual, as are travel expenses to meetings or events, an example of which would be the Toothless in London launch in Westminster and our attendance at the ‘Access to NHS dentistry’ debate held in Westminster Hall the same day on 10 February 2022.

Toothless in England has become a respected campaign, one that is fighting on behalf of patients, and amplifying the voices of those who feel abandoned by the government and the NHS; they have found themselves on the wrong side of the health divide.

But the campaign has now reached a critical point, one which we must seize the opportunity it presents if we are to continue pressing the government into action to fully reform and fund a new NHS dental contract, a contract that puts patients before targets.

On March 21st, 2023, the Health and Social Care Committee will take oral evidence from various professional organisations as part of their NHS Dentistry inquiry. Later, in April, the committee inquiry will sit to hear a second round of oral evidence. It’s hoped that we will be invited to speak. We are looking to raise funds to purchase a quantity of placards, banners and leaflets to be used outside Parliament on both days.

More importantly, funding is needed to develop a website which will provide (a) online visibility over and above our social media presence, (b) provide a visual means of identifying our campaign group locations, (c) and a platform where we can share testimonials from patients who have been unable to access NHS dental treatment.

Having a fully functional website would assist us in maximising our leverage, increase the campaign’s visibility, and maintain pressure on the government and treasury to ensure that everyone can access a local NHS dentist when they need one.

Any funds left over can be put into more promotional materials and work in helping the campaign.

If you are in a position to help us raise the funds needed, we would be extremely grateful.

Thank you.

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