The UK government is responding to the ongoing NHS dentistry crisis by offering an additional 52,000 urgent dental appointments in London over the next year. This initiative is part of a nationwide plan to address what has been described as a “Dickensian state of affairs” in dental care.
NHS Dentistry Under Pressure
Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged that NHS dentistry was on the brink of collapse, with many patients unable to access dental services. An estimated 13 million people in England—about one in four adults—are currently unable to see an NHS dentist. A recent survey found that one in five patients in London had been unable to secure an appointment over the past two years. The growing backlog is leaving many patients in severe pain, with some reportedly resorting to extreme measures, like pulling out their own teeth.
The Plan to Improve Access
To address this, the government is rolling out 700,000 additional urgent dental appointments nationwide, focusing on areas with significant shortages of dental care providers. These extra appointments, starting in April, will cater to those with infections, broken teeth, or severe pain. Patients in need of urgent care will be able to contact NHS 111 or their local dental practice for access.
Care Minister Stephen Kinnock also announced plans to provide supervised tooth brushing for young children in primary schools located in deprived areas of England, aiming to prevent early childhood tooth decay. This initiative comes after reports showed that up to six in 10 children in some parts of England have rotten teeth by age five, with poorer regions facing the worst outcomes.
Criticism of Slow Response
Despite these efforts, leaders in the dental profession argue that the government’s response is too slow, pointing out that the promised additional appointments amount to only two extra slots per month for each NHS dentist. The British Dental Association (BDA) expressed concerns that this measure does not go far enough to address the severe access issues.
Next Steps for NHS Dentistry
The government’s actions are being seen as a step in the right direction, but much more is needed to rebuild a system that has been neglected for years. As part of the plan, new dentists are being recruited to serve in “dental deserts,” and efforts are being made to retain existing staff. To encourage dentists to work in underserved areas, the government is also offering £20,000 “golden hellos.”
The urgency to fix NHS dentistry is clear, and while these new initiatives are a positive start, dental professionals warn that lasting change will require a comprehensive overhaul of NHS dental contracts and continued investment.
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