New report highlights need for extra investment in UK dentistry

NHS general dental practitioners require a commitment of additional funding from the government to reverse some of the fiscal trends seen in recent years.

The recent Dental Earnings and Expenses 2012/13 report from the Health and Social Care Information Centre revealed that the average taxable income for self-employed dentists working in general dental services in England and Wales fell by 2.4 per cent in 2012/13.

In Scotland, this decrease was four percent, while Northern Ireland fared even worse, with dentists seeing a 5.6 percent drop in earnings.

Responding to the study, the British Dental Association (BDA) noted that these declines coincided with a rise in expenses, creating a negative cycle that could impact service quality.

Mick Armstrong, chair of the BDA's principal executive committee, said: "While dentists recognise the pressures facing the public purse, governments must recognise the stress, expense and complexity involved in providing safe, effective, high-quality dental care."

The association was recently able to successfully lobby for government proposals for a reduction in pay for foundation dentists to be shelved.