Patients requiring urgent dental care and complex treatments will be prioritized under new government plans to improve access to NHS dentists in England. The proposals aim to save some patients up to £225 by reducing the number of appointments needed for complicated procedures.
For years, many people have struggled to find an NHS dentist, with some areas in England being dubbed “dental deserts” due to a lack of available services. The British Dental Association (BDA) warned that without more funding and significant reform, the new plans will not address the root causes of the current issues.
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock, speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, emphasized that the goal was to “prioritize” urgent care. He criticized the practice of offering routine check-ups every six months, arguing that it was an inefficient use of dentists’ time. Kinnock explained that for patients with good oral health, visits should be no more frequent than once every two years, a shift from the current norm.
The existing NHS dental contract, introduced in 2006, pays dentists based on Units of Dental Activity (UDAs), with different treatments earning different UDA values. This system has led to a focus on routine check-ups, which are more financially rewarding, rather than longer, more complex treatments. As a result, many dentists have stopped taking on NHS patients, exacerbating access issues.
Under the new proposals, there will be incentives for dentists to offer long-term treatments for conditions like gum disease and tooth decay, which require multiple appointments. The aim is to provide patients with a comprehensive treatment package, potentially saving up to £225.
Shiv Pabary, chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, described the current system as “broken” and said the proposed reforms were insufficient. He warned that without addressing the chronic underfunding and systemic problems, NHS dentistry would continue to struggle to meet the needs of both dentists and patients. He cautioned that attempting to deliver comprehensive care on the current budget would be extremely challenging.
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