Toothless in Suffolk protest at Endeavour House in Ipswich

Representatives from Toothless in Suffolk, alongside residents from across the county, will gather outside the Suffolk County Council offices in Ipswich on Wednesday, July 12 following a Scrutiny Committee meeting where dentistry is due to be discussed.

Mark Jones, the group's founder and campaign coordinator who earlier this month attended an NHS dentistry enquiry roundtable at Westminster, said he also plans to ask a question in the meeting. 

Mark Jones, co-founder of Toothless in Suffolk (Image: Mark Jones)

"We're going to push hard with them, make no mistake," he said. 

"We will be there with placards and our mascot - we are refusing to back down until there's an NHS dentist for everyone." 

Toothless in Suffolk has been gaining momentum over the last few years, with protests held in Leiston and Bury St Edmunds. 

In 2021, the group went national with the Toothless in England network hub which has allowed campaign groups across the country to come together and share news and events.

READ MORE: Disappointment at cuts to NHS dental care

READ MORE: New figures show more Suffolk patients chase fewer dentists

They also released six key demands aimed at the government and NHS England commissioners including an NHS dentist for everyone and for treatments to be free at the point of use. 

Mr Jones said: "When we started the campaign, it was initially to get a dentist in Leiston because both pratices closed within a year of each other and we thought it would be quite easy to get a dentist back.

"Call me naive, but who would have thought that we'd be in this position now where we are no further forward with having a dentist in Leiston and now have fewer dentists in Suffolk than ever that provide NHS dentistry."

"We remain hopeful but the picture out there is very very bleak indeed," he added. 

Residents are invited to join the protest at Endeavour House on Wednesday, July 12.