After many years of being on its knees, the crisis in NHS dentistry has reached a tipping point, with an unprecedented number of dental patients unable to access the care they desperately need. A recent BBC survey1 revealed that 9 out of 10 NHS dental practices are unable to offer NHS appointments to new adult patients, underscoring the severity of the access crisis across the UK. This article delves into the root causes of the crisis, its impact on patients and dentists, government responses, and the calls for urgent reform.
The problem with NHS dentistry is not just a problem with NHS dentists in Kingston, or even just NHS dentists in London, but a nationwide dental crisis, even for dental emergencies requiring immediate care.
The scale of the problem in NHS dentistry is alarming. According to the most extensive survey of patient access ever undertaken by the BBC, in collaboration with the British Dental Association (BDA), a staggering 91% of NHS practices across England reported they were not accepting new adult patients. Regions like the East Midlands, South West, North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber saw even higher rates of refusal, approaching 98%.
The crisis is significantly fueled by a discredited NHS dental contract, which prioritises government targets over patient care and fails to fund care for a sufficient portion of the population.
What the government has failed to understand is that the NHS dental contract should not be target based, but should be patient care based. This system has not only made it challenging for patients to access NHS dentistry services but has also contributed to a mass exodus of dentists from the NHS.
The root causes of the crisis extend deep into the fabric of NHS dentistry. The existing NHS dental contract and the pressures of the pandemic have driven many dentists to the brink. The contract’s limitations, combined with COVID-19 restrictions, have led to over 40 million lost NHS dental appointments since the beginning of the first lockdown (that’s a year’s worth of NHS dentistry in pre-Covid times!).
Dentists within the NHS have expressed profound dissatisfaction, citing stress, burnout, and a system that does not value their skills or compensate them adequately. The chronic underfunding in NHS dentistry has left many feeling chewed up and spat out, with nearly 9 in 10 reporting symptoms of stress, burnout, or depression.
The access crisis has forced patients into desperation, with some resorting to DIY dentistry (or at home dentistry), including pulling out their own teeth. This Victorian-style dentistry highlights the urgent need for accessible dental care in a modern society.
The dismal state of NHS dentistry has led to a significant number of dentists reducing their NHS work or leaving NHS dentistry altogether. Amongst other things, the government’s handling of the pandemic has accelerated this trend, pushing even dedicated dental professionals to consider alternative paths.
There have been loud calls from the dental community for the government to deliver urgent reform and a fair funding settlement. The BDA has pressed for an end to the “rearrangement of deckchairs” and called for a commitment to fundamental reform of NHS dentistry.
With new leadership, there’s potential for reform. Recent discussions have indicated an openness to addressing the challenges facing NHS dentistry, but significant investment, and a complete overhaul of the dental contract are essential for meaningful change.
The crisis in NHS dentistry demands real solutions. Reforming the NHS dental contract and investing in the dental workforce are critical steps toward creating a sustainable and patient-centric model. Only then can the NHS provide the level of care patients deserve and offer a system where dentists feel valued and motivated to build their careers.
The crisis in NHS dentistry is a clear call for immediate action. To prevent the collapse of this vital service, policymakers and the public must advocate for systemic changes. Ensuring the future of NHS dental care in the UK requires a commitment to reform, investment, and a collective effort to prioritise the oral health of the nation.
By addressing the root causes of the crisis, providing the necessary support for dentists, and ensuring accessible care for all patients, we can work towards a brighter future for NHS dentistry.
Until such a time (if that happens), we recommend private dentistry for those patients in need of dental care. Not only will this allow dental emergencies to be seen sooner, but the lack of NHS pressure means that a Private Dentist can spend more time with you, offering quality dental care, without feeling rushed due to a NHS contract. Many patients are surprised at how affordable private dentistry actually is. A private dental checkup is more affordable than people realise, making private dentistry more accessible to all.
Whatever you do, please stay away from DIY dentistry, as you’re more likely to do more harm than good!
Thames Street Dental has a small NHS contract (and do not have capacity to take on new NHS patients). Our quality and services have remained exceptional due to the fact that our contract is a very small part of our dental practice, and it is therefore not stretching or disincentivising our dentists with unrealistic NHS targets and compensation.
We have been unable to accept new adult patients on the NHS for quite some time, as our NHS contract has been completed with our existing NHS patients and children. We are always accepting new patients as part of our Private Dentistry offerings, and will continue to offer an exceptional level of care for all of our dental services.
020 8546 6546
