Millions Struggle to Access NHS Dental Care as ‘Dentistry Deserts’ Spread
Getting a routine dental check-up has become increasingly difficult for many in England. What was once a simple matter of registering with a local NHS practice has morphed into a grueling odyssey, leaving millions stranded in “dentistry deserts” with wait times stretching for years.
New analysis reveals a bleak reality: virtually no dentists are currently accepting new NHS patients. Of the more than 6,500 practices listed on the NHS “Find a dentist” website, a staggering 73% are not taking on new adult patients. The situation is even worse in reality, as many practices with seemingly open books harbor years-long waiting lists.
A joint investigation by the Mirror and the British Dental Association (BDA) revealed the extent of the crisis. After contacting 100 practices claiming to accept new adult patients “when availability allows,” 84 were actually not accepting new NHS patients. One practice even admitted to having a waiting list of “at least 10 years.” These findings suggest that a staggering 96% of dental practices are not accepting new adult NHS patients.
Coastal and Rural Communities Hit Hardest
The consequences of this crisis are dire. Those unable to secure NHS appointments are forced to rely on expensive private care, a burden disproportionately borne by lower-income households and those in rural and coastal communities where access to dental care is already limited.
Children are also facing difficulties, with 62% of NHS practices not accepting new patients under 17. In a sobering statistic, 43 constituencies lack even a single practice accepting new child patients.
See which dentists are accepting NHS patients in your area using our interactive map:
Broken Contract Blamed for Dentist Exodus
The Health Select Committee has criticized the NHS dental payment contract as “not fit for purpose.” The current system pays dentists the same amount for three fillings as it does for 20, and it penalizes practices with financial clawbacks if they fail to meet targets.
Compounding the problem are significant real-terms cuts to the dentistry budget. This combination of factors has driven many dentists to abandon the NHS altogether and pursue private practice.
In the lead-up to the General Election, the Conservative party unveiled a so-called “recovery plan” that proved to be largely cosmetic. It promised no contract reforms or additional funding, prompting accusations that the plan was a cynical attempt to “kick the issue of dentistry into the long grass.”
Weeks later, the government launched a social media campaign touting the recovery plan, claiming nearly 500 more practices across England had started accepting new adult patients as of April 8. However, this supposed improvement was solely due to a change in the definition of “access” on the NHS Find a Dentist website. On April 2, the website was modified to replace a simple yes/no answer with a caveat asking whether practices were accepting new NHS patients “when availability allows.”
‘Cover’ for Former Government, Patients Left Struggling
Eddie Crouch, chair of the BDA, commented: “! The information on the NHS website was redesigned to give cover to the last Government. Until the new government keeps its promises, millions will face long hours on the phone, struggling to access care. “
The ongoing dental crisis highlights the urgent need for structural changes to the NHS dental contract and increased investment in the sector to ensure equitable access to oral healthcare for all.
What is causing dentists to leave the NHS?
## Millions Struggling to Access NHS Dental Care: An Interview with Dr. Sarah Jones
**Host:** Welcome back to the program. Today we’re discussing the escalating crisis in access to NHS dental care in England. Joining me is Dr. Sarah Jones, a practicing dentist with firsthand experience of this troubling situation. Dr. Jones, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Jones:** It’s my pleasure to be here. This is an issue that affects millions and it’s crucial we shed light on it.
**Host:** Let’s start with the alarming statistics. New research shows a staggering majority of dental practices – over 70% – aren’t accepting new adult NHS patients [Original Text]. What’s driving this exodus of dentists from the NHS?
**Dr. Jones:** This is a complex issue, but the core problem is the current NHS contract. The reimbursement rates for NHS procedures are simply not sufficient to cover the rising costs of running a practice.
**Host:** So, it’s a matter of financial viability for dentists?
**Dr. Jones:** Absolutely. There’s immense pressure on dentists to deliver high-quality care while struggling to make ends meet. Many feel undervalued and underappreciated by the system.
**Host:** What does this mean for patients?
**Dr. Jones:** The consequences are dire. People are facing agonizing waits, some even years long, just to see a dentist. Those who can’t face those waits are often forced to go private, which can be prohibitively expensive, effectively excluding lower-income families. [[1](https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/research/bold-action-or-slow-decay-the-state-of-nhs-dentistry-and-future-policy-actions)]
**Host:** We also understand that certain areas, particularly coastal and rural communities, are hit particularly hard.
**Dr. Jones:** You’re correct. These areas already suffer from a shortage of healthcare professionals, and the situation is even worse for dentists. Recruiting and retaining dentists in these communities is harder due to limited resources and often isolated locations. It creates dental deserts, leaving people severely underserved.
**Host:** What needs to happen to avert this crisis?
**Dr. Jones:** The government must address the broken NHS dental contract and invest in a sustainable system that fairly compensates dentists for their work. We need increased funding, simplified administrative burdens, and a renewed focus on preventative care. Ultimately, access to dental care is a fundamental right and we must prioritize its accessibility for all.
**Host:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Jones. This is clearly a crucial issue that needs urgent attention.