NHS Dental Practices Decline Revealed As Only 15% Of Practices Are Fully NHS

Recent data released by the General Dental Council highlights a significant shift in the UK’s dental sector, revealing that merely 15% of dental practices are fully NHS. With three in five dentists working 30 hours or less weekly, this trend indicates a growing focus on private dental care. The findings underline a shift that could impact patient access to healthcare and reshape the dental industry’s landscape in the UK.

The study, with responses from over 25,000 dentists, sheds light on current working patterns across the profession. While many dentists dedicate over 75% of their time to clinical work, a noteworthy 19% exclusively offer private care. In contrast, only 15% of dentists provide solely NHS services, with an additional 27% predominantly focused on NHS care. These statistics reveal the increasing prevalence of private dentistry and highlight potential access challenges for patients relying on public healthcare. Stefan Czerniawski, GDC’s Executive Director of Strategy, emphasizes the importance of this data in guiding future planning and decision-making processes by health services and governments.

This data provides a crucial insight into the evolving dynamics of the dental sector, urging stakeholders to address potential ‘dental deserts’—areas with limited NHS dental service availability. BDA Chair Eddie Crouch advocates for swift government action, stressing that these findings should not gather dust, but be used to effect meaningful changes in healthcare accessibility across the UK. With plans to gather similar data from dental care professionals later this year, the industry awaits a clearer picture of its workforce and service distribution.

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