What are the new changes to NHS dental contracts in England?

From next April, NHS dental contracts in England will prioritize complex cases and urgent care, with patients booking a package for multiple appointments.

Why do A&E attendances for dental issues keep rising in the UK?

A&E attendances for dental issues have risen due to difficulties accessing timely NHS dental care, leading patients to seek emergency treatment.

Will the new NHS dental contract fix England's dentistry problems?

Experts suggest the changes are minor 'tweaks' and a more radical overhaul, including restoring patient registration rights, is needed to fully address the crisis.

Home / Health / Radical Surgery Needed for NHS Dentistry, Not Just Tweaks

Radical Surgery Needed for NHS Dentistry, Not Just Tweaks

17 Dec, 2025

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Summary

New NHS dental contract changes in England prioritize complex cases and urgent care.
Patients needing multiple visits will book a package rather than individual appointments.
A&E attendances for dental issues jumped nearly 45% in four years.

Radical Surgery Needed for NHS Dentistry, Not Just Tweaks

New NHS dental contract reforms in England are set to prioritize patients with complex needs and those requiring urgent care. From next April, the payment system will shift to allow patients requiring multiple appointments to book a single package. Dentists will also receive incentives to increase the availability of urgent treatments for severe pain and infections.

Despite these adjustments, critics label the changes as minor 'tweaks' to a fundamentally flawed system introduced in 2006. The original contract, which moved away from GP-style registration towards a 'unit of activity' payment model, has faced persistent issues, particularly concerning access for disadvantaged populations. This has led to a significant increase in non-emergency calls to NHS 111 and a nearly 45% rise in A&E attendances for dental problems in the past four years.