Reality bites: Half of NHS dentists ready to go private
NEARLY half of England’s dentists are considering cutting ties with the NHS and going fully private, according to a survey.
The British Dental Association warns that if the trend continues millions of patients could be left with ‘no options’ and ‘NHS dentistry will die’.
Most dentists provide a mix of NHS and private care, but the research suggest a major shift of balance is under way. Since March 2020 around 3,000 dentists are said to have stopped their NHS work.
A poll of 2,200 in England found 45 per cent have reduced their NHS commitment since the pandemic began and the same proportion say they are likely to go fully private.
Almost two-thirds have unfilled vacancies for dentists while 87 per cent said they have experienced symptoms of stress, burnout and other mental health problems in the last 12 months. The British Dental Association said the figures give the clearest indication yet of the scale of the crisis facing NHS dentistry.
They are calling for ‘radical and urgent’ action from the Government to help struggling dentists, saying that NHS contracts ‘put targets ahead of patient need’. Meanwhile one of the main worries for NHS patients is access to a dentist.
Many people are unable to get appointments or they are being forced to wait months for care.
Shawn Charlwood, chairman of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, said: ‘Overstretched and underfunded, thousands of dentists have already left the NHS, but many more have begun severing their ties.
‘This is how NHS dentistry will die
‘Millions will have no options’
– a lingering decline that unchecked will leave millions of patients with no options.
‘This Government has ensured many dentists cannot see a future in this service.
‘Without urgent reform and adequate funding there is little hope we can halt this exodus.’
The research comes as MPs on the Commons Health and Social Care Committee prepare to examine issues in the sector at a meeting today.