Bid to revamp dental services

Dentists have been ordered to publish up-to-date information on whether or not they are taking new NHS patients in a bid to improve access.

Under new measures announced by NHS England, healthy people will only need a check-up with their NHS dentist every two years in a bid to improve access to dental care for more urgent cases.

NHS England say patients have been known to call up to 40 practises to find an NHS dentist taking on new patients and it also plans to give dental therapists more responsibilities – including fillings, performing X-rays and putting in crowns.

A letter to dental practices setting out the reforms states there is "limited evidence" for the need for six-monthly check-ups for people with "low oral health risk".

The plans have emerged as part of a reformed contract for NHS dentists but the British Dental Association (BDA) said the measures only "paper over the cracks" and warned there are no dental therapists "waiting in the wings" to step up and care for more patients.

Shawn Charlwood, chair of the BDA's general dental practice committee, said: "These are modest, marginal changes that will not fix the rotten foundations this service is built on.

"Our patients need ministers to do more than paper over the cracks. These tweaks will do precious little to keep dentists in the NHS or ensure millions get the care they urgently need."

Chief Dental Officer for England Sara Hurley said: "The NHS is determined to overhaul dental provision, with a focus on increasing access to necessary care and supporting prevention. These reforms are the first step on that journey."