Recent statistics reveal a concerning trend in England’s National Health Service (NHS) – the number of dentists performing NHS work has fallen to its lowest in nearly a decade. The British Dental Association (BDA) reports that only 23,577 dentists were involved in NHS work during the 2022/23 financial year, a significant decrease from the 24,272 dentists the previous year.
For clarity, the NHS (National Health Service) is the healthcare system in the UK, the BDA (British Dental Association) is the professional association for dentists in the UK, and UDA (Unit of Dental Activity) is a measure of dental work for the NHS.
This decline in numbers is the most drastic since the 2014/15 period, excluding the Covid pandemic years. The BDA obtained these alarming figures from the NHS Business Services Authority through Freedom of Information requests.
The Call for a Rescue Package
In light of these findings, the BDA urges the Government to acknowledge the crisis in NHS dentistry and provide a substantial rescue package. This plea comes amidst the Government’s repeated assertions that recent reforms have increased dentist numbers, a claim contradicted by the new data.
The BDA highlights the struggle of dental practices to fill dentist vacancies, leading to penalties for not meeting NHS contractual targets. It estimates that practices will face over £400 million in fines this year for failing to meet these targets.
The Need for a Higher UDA Value
The BDA proposes a solution – a higher minimum unit of dental activity (UDA) value. This increase could prevent dentists from treating NHS patients at a loss. The lowest recorded year for NHS dentists was 2011/12, with only 22,920 dentists performing NHS work.
The BDA states, “A minimum UDA level of £23 was rolled out in October, lower than the current patient charge level of £25.80, and below the level required for most practices to cover their costs or attract new dentists.”
The Urgent Plea for Government Intervention
Shawn Charlwood, chairman of the BDA’s general dental practice committee, calls on the Government to acknowledge the facts and provide a rescue package to sustain the service. He warns, “NHS dentistry is haemorrhaging talent, and further tweaks to a broken system will not stem the flow.”
Charlwood further emphasizes the urgency of the situation, stating, “We face an access crisis, and with hundreds of millions set to be pulled away funds must be put to work solving these problems.”
The Shift Away from NHS Work
A recent BDA survey reveals that half of the dentists in England have reduced their NHS work by more than a quarter since the pandemic’s onset. Furthermore, 74% indicated plans to decrease or further decrease the amount of NHS work they undertake in the upcoming year.
Medical Tourism: A Chosen Solution for Many Brits
In the face of the declining number of NHS dentists in England, many Brits have turned to medical tourism as their chosen solution. This practice involves traveling to another country for medical care, and it has been a common practice for years, particularly for dental services.
Patients are driven to seek dental care abroad for a variety of reasons. The primary factor is the shortage of NHS dentists in England, which has led to long waiting times and limited access to dental care. Additionally, the lower costs of dental procedures in other countries make medical tourism an attractive option.
Countries such as Hungary, Poland, Turkey, and Spain are popular destinations for dental tourism among Brits due to their high-quality dental services at competitive prices. These countries have a surplus of skilled dentists and advanced dental facilities, ensuring that patients receive top-notch care.
While medical tourism presents a personal solution for many, it also underscores the urgent need for systemic changes in the NHS dental service in England. The increasing reliance on medical tourism highlights the extent of the crisis and the pressing need for a robust and sustainable solution at home.
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