Dentists warn of shutdown

THOUSANDS of dental practices could close in the coming months because dentists say an NHS financial safety net is unable to protect them during the lockdown.

They are angry that the plan excludes compensation for loss of income from private work, which makes up a significant part of their work.

Mick Armstrong, chairman of the British Dental Association, said: ‘Thousands of practices could go to the wall. A largely selfemployed workforce has been offered few crumbs of comfort from Government.’

England has about 27,500 dentists. Fourfifths do NHS work, but many subsidise it with private cases. Most dentists work as self-employed ‘associates’ in surgeries.

They will be eligible for the self-employment bailout only if they earn less than £50,000, but the average income is £60,000.