UK public ‘has little faith in future of NHS dentistry’

Citizens in the UK believe it is a “matter of time” before dental care is removed from the NHS, with Britons having little faith in dental care provided by the health service, it has been claimed.

Recently published research from health and dental insurance provider HSA reveals that 61 per cent of Britons believe the quality of oral health in the UK will worsen in the future, with over half believing that dentistry on the NHS will be abolished.

Furthermore, the survey also revealed that 22 per cent of Britons visit a private dentist as they are unable to find a one on the NHS, with 37 per cent finding recent changes resulting in a more expensive system and 23 per cent finding the new arrangement less accessible.

Stuart Mahoney, a spokesperson for HSA, said: “It’s worrying that changes made last year to improve NHS dentistry have not instilled faith in the UK public that their dental needs will be efficiently cared for.”

He added that one in five Britons do not ever visit a dentist, while a further fifth opt for private dental treatment.

Consumer publication Which? recently revealed that a “postcode lottery” still exists in the UK with relation to the provision of dental care on the NHS, with a disparity in the availability of dentists in differing parts of the UK.