The national campaign group demanding an NHS dentist for everyone, has called the cash injection "a mere drop in the ocean".

Last week, Toothless in England called on the government last week to declare a national health emergency and implement a disaster recovery plan, warning that unless they do so immediately NHS dentistry ultimately faces extinction after a decade of underfunding.

Concerns have grown ope the provision of prescription dental treatment in hadleigh after patients' were told the last remaining NHS dentist could be leaving and {my dentist} in Meadow Way were no longer taking NHS patients.

There were fears the practice was going to close completely, and while the owners insisted it would stay open, many appointments have been cancelled, and there have been days the surgery has not opened.

Spokesperson for the national campaign, Felixstowe's Mark Jones added, "This extra funding, welcome though it is, is a mere drop in the ocean and won't fix the dental crisis.

"As far as we at Toothless in England are concerned, it won't put an end to people pulling out their own teeth, all because they can't find a dentist. It won't put an end to dental charities meant to help the needs of developing countries from helping meet the emergency needs in our own communities either.

"NHS dentistry has seen its funding slashed by 30% in real terms since 2010. Over 38 million dental appointments have been lost since the beginning of the pandemic.

"Thousands of dentists have decided to stop treating NHS patients, all because the contract they're working to puts targets before patient care and is financially unviable.

"Government and the Treasury need to stop prevaricating over contract reforms.

"They've promised action, but now it's time to deliver on those promises. We are more than willing to work with them along with the profession, the BDA, dental schools, and other patient groups, to help create an NHS dental contract that meets the needs of both the patient and the practitioner."

Steve Marsling from the local Toothless in Suffolk campaign said "We very much agree with the BDA on this. You cannot create a proper dental service by creating a time limited cash payment. It won't make up for over ten years of neglect.

"Are those areas like Leiston going to have a new dentist under this scheme? We have written to David Barter, Head Commissioner for NHS East Of England, to demand answers on the promises he made about new dental services coming to Suffolk and Norfolk. An answer was promised by January. We have heard nothing."

Toothless in England acts as the hub for a network of 'Toothless' campaign groups across the country which began in Suffolk last year after both of Leiston's dental practices closed their doors for the final time.

Toothless in England have six demands which builds on their strapline 'An NHS dentist for everyone', and they are:-

1. An NHS dentist for everyone
2. Reforms to the NHS dental contract that will encourage dentists to provide NHS treatments
3. Revenue to cover the 50% of the population that are unfunded by the government
4. NHS dental treatments to be free at the point of use
5. People to be prioritised before shareholder dividend - no more privatisation
6. An end to the two-tier system - hygienists, routine check-ups and preventative treatments must be a core NHS function