Home / Health / Poorer Brits ditch NHS dentistry for costly private care
Poorer Brits ditch NHS dentistry for costly private care
9 Mar
Summary
- Nearly a third of English people now use private dental services.
- Poorer households struggling to afford dental care have doubled.
- Dentists cite low NHS pay as a reason for limited availability.
Healthwatch England reports a significant shift towards private dentistry, with 32% of people in England now using these services, up from 22% in 2023. This indicates a growing trend of dental care becoming a private-only service for many.
The watchdog is particularly concerned that the percentage of financially struggling individuals seeking private dental care has nearly doubled, rising from 14% to 27%. This forces many into higher costs, as private check-ups can cost more than double NHS rates.
Dentists argue that low NHS reimbursement rates for certain procedures result in them operating at a loss, necessitating cross-subsidization and contributing to increased private pricing. The British Dental Association states that choices made by the Treasury are forcing patients into private treatment.
In response to these concerns, the Competition and Markets Authority has launched an inquiry into the UK's £8.4bn private dental market. The government acknowledges the crisis, stating it inherited a neglected NHS dental service and has implemented measures to increase treatments and reform contracts to improve access and prevent a two-tier system.
