NHS England is facing a dental care crisis, with an estimated 2.2 million people in urgent need of treatment but unable to secure an NHS dental appointment. This figure highlights a severe shortage, as the government’s promise to provide 700,000 additional appointments will only address a third of the population’s immediate needs.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has raised alarms about the consequences of this shortage, warning that many patients may resort to “Victorian-era” methods to address their dental problems. The BDA referenced disturbing reports of individuals extracting their own teeth and requiring emergency surgery due to subsequent infections.
A letter from NHS England to local health leaders stated that approximately 3.5% of the population, or 2.2 million people, currently face barriers in accessing NHS dental services. These individuals are most likely to require urgent care, further underscoring the scale of the issue.
Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Social Care announced plans to roll out the additional appointments starting in April, a key promise from Labour’s health manifesto. The extra appointments will be focused on “dental deserts”—areas where access to NHS dentists is particularly limited. Local health bodies will be given specific targets for urgent appointments based on regional demand.
However, Shiv Pabary, chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, criticized the government’s response, arguing that the new appointments would only address a fraction of the need. “This is austerity on stilts,” Pabary said, accusing the government of failing to tackle the root causes of the dental crisis. He also warned that such gaps in urgent care could lead to a resurgence of DIY dentistry and its associated dangers.
As this crisis deepens, dental professionals are also feeling the strain. A recent poll by Dental Protection, the dental division of the Medical Protection Society, revealed that nearly two-thirds (63%) of dental professionals report feeling “burnt out and exhausted.” The survey, which included responses from 1,600 dentists, hygienists, dental nurses, and therapists, highlighted widespread pressure to take on extra work. Half of the respondents indicated they were struggling with heavy workloads, and many described working long hours to meet the demand for NHS appointments.
In addition to high demand, dental workers reported concerns about staff shortages and financial pressures. Many cited the current NHS reimbursement rates, which they claim do not cover the operational costs of providing services. This issue, coupled with a “target-driven culture,” has led to growing dissatisfaction within the dental profession.
Yvonne Shaw from Dental Protection expressed concern over the mental wellbeing of dental professionals, noting that burnout is taking a significant toll on staff. She emphasized that any long-term NHS strategy, set to be unveiled later this year, must prioritize comprehensive reform of the NHS dental contract.
The ongoing crisis underscores the urgent need for meaningful reforms to ensure that NHS dental services can meet the growing demand for care and support both patients and dental professionals alike.
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