Fears over resumption of a full dental service
Most dentists say they cannot resume a full service to patients before the end of the year because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a professional body.
Dentists face "huge challenges" to try to get back up and running since the national lockdown, according to Matthew Garrett, dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS).
Out of 455 dentists who questioned in an FDS survey, 74% said they are unable to provide a full service this year or did not know when they will be able to.
Services began to resume over the summer but 96% of dentists said they are still not providing the range of treatments they were offering before the pandemic.
There were 34% of dentists who said they did not know when they would fully resume services, while another 36% felt that patients would have to wait until 2021 before they could again offer the full range of pre-pandemic services.
Complying with new infection control protocols has reduced the number of patients who can be seen.
Mr Garrett said: "Few will be able to resume fully this year and it is critical that we avoid any further suspension of services in a second wave of the virus. A considerable backlog has already been created.
"Waiting lists for treatment will become ins urmountable if we halt again, with disastrous consequences for patients."
Mr Garrett said that "urgent action" is needed, in particular, to help NHS general practice surgeries resume routine procedures like fillings and crown repair.
These help ensure longterm oral health and prevent unnecessary extractions.