NHS dentistry has been labeled as “very weak” and “not fit for purpose,” according to England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, who warned of the long-term consequences of inadequate dental care for children. Speaking before the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament, Sir Chris highlighted that the lack of access to dental services, particularly for children, could result in lifelong dental health issues.
“The NHS dental system is in a much weaker state than other areas of the NHS,” Sir Chris stated. He further explained that the situation has worsened over time, with the last period when NHS dentistry met public expectations being in the early 1990s. He added, “Changes since then have either had no impact or have worsened the situation.”
Emphasizing the importance of early intervention, Sir Chris stressed that prevention is “absolutely critical,” but lamented that the reality is quite the opposite. He pointed out that tooth decay remains a significant problem, with many children undergoing “destructive” procedures in hospitals to address severe dental decay, which he described as a precursor to “lifelong poor dental health.”
Recent data reveals that 60% of children have decaying teeth by the time they turn five, with regional disparities showing higher rates in poorer areas compared to more affluent regions. For instance, areas such as London, the North East, and the South West have seen increases in the number of five-year-olds with poor dental hygiene.
The Chief Medical Officer also criticized the NHS’s previous “recovery plan” introduced by the Conservative government in 2024, designed to address the ongoing dental crisis. The plan promised an additional 1.5 million treatments for patients but has failed to meet its targets. Sir Chris confirmed that the plan is not on track, adding that while the overall number of dentists has increased, the number of those offering discounted NHS care has dwindled.
The challenges facing NHS dentistry, including insufficient access and a lack of new appointments, have prompted calls for urgent reforms to ensure better dental care for children and all patients in need of NHS services.
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