The move to scrap band one dentistry charges would cost around £450million. Labour would make check-ups, X-rays and a scale and polish free at the point of use, dubbing the proposal a “teeth MOT”. Other treatments classed as Band 1 include: corrections to fillings, dentures and braces, and some forms of preventative care such as plastic sealants or fluoride therapy to prevent tooth decay from forming.
Currently patients pay £270million a year in NHS dental charges, as dentistry is one of a handful of NHS services where people pay towards the cost of care.
The only people that don’t have to pay for dental care are children, pregnant women, young mothers and people on low-income benefits.
But voters have hit out at the plans, as they say the move to implement free dental check-ups would end up being funded by taxpayers.
Commenting on the story on Express.co.uk’s Facebook page, many vented their anger at a policy that some believed is ludicrous and accused Mr Corbyn of trying to win votes with false promises.
One person said: “There is a very old saying ‘there is no such thing as a free dinner’.
“Everyone, rich and poor alike will pay for Corbyn’s madcap schemes, unfortunately, the poor will suffer the consequences of his ‘free’ generosity much more than the rich!”
Another said: “It’s not free, just something else the taxpayer has to fund.”
Others questioned whether there would be enough dentists to carry out the plan.
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Other Express.co.uk readers used the policy announcement to criticise more of the Labour Party’s pledges.
These include: introducing a four day working week, nationalising BT and introducing free broadband.
Other Labour policies include nationalisation water, rail and postal services and hiking up taxes on the wealthy.
Keth Smith said: “And all the Dentists will be on a 4 day week. A sensible human being would never contemplate making such ridiculous promises.”
One person mocked Labour’s new proposals and said: “Under a Labour government, we won’t even need money cos everything will be free.”
“Corbyn’s Spending it going to put us in so much debt that our Great Great Great Great Great Great Children will still paying off the interest.”
Labour will announce their full election manifesto on Thursday.
