I remember my grandad telling me when I was little (about 3’ 6”, I’d guess) that, for a 21st birthday present for my grandma, he paid for her to have all her teeth out and dentures fitted.  Apparently, that wasn’t uncommon in those days.

For one thing, it avoided a lifetime contending with rotting teeth and toothache.  (I suspect lead toothpaste tubes might have played a part).  But also, this was pre-NHS and was a one-time investment against the cost of 40 years of dental appointments, extractions and fillings.

Now you might think this a bit medieval but consider this: scarcely a day goes by without someone bleating on the news that they can’t get on a dentist’s register.  So a single one-off appointment to have the lot taken out would slash waiting lists at a stroke, not to mention the need to recruit immigrant dentists from abroad.

If the Government seriously intends to address this aspect of the NHS’s problems and further immigration, I urge Wes Streeting and Yvette Cooper to give this sensible opportunity careful consideration.