Home / Health / NHS Dentistry Teeters on Brink: Practices Exit
NHS Dentistry Teeters on Brink: Practices Exit
9 Jan
Summary
- Dentists are leaving the NHS, leading to reduced service capacity.
- Increased demand for urgent dental care persists post-Covid.
- Practices are exiting the NHS, especially in rural areas.
The National Health Service (NHS) dentistry system is experiencing significant strain as dental practices increasingly exit the public service. This trend is driven by workforce retention and recruitment challenges, coupled with a notable shift towards private dental care options. Consequently, the capacity to deliver commissioned services is being impacted, especially in rural regions where attracting new providers has proven difficult.
The lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic continue to play a role, with a substantial number of patients presenting with high dental needs. Demand for urgent care has seen a marked increase compared to pre-pandemic levels, further intensifying the pressure on available services. Fletcher, the strategic head of dental contracting for the ICB, noted that these issues collectively hinder the return to pre-Covid service levels.
In response, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) is implementing measures to stabilize the situation. These include increasing minimum payment rates to practices and offering loyalty incentives to retain existing dentists. Locally, the ICB has successfully negotiated with seven practices in Northumberland to increase their activity, and expressions of interest are being sought to address service losses in Cramlington.
