UK dentists ‘largely dissatisfied with shape and direction of NHS dentistry’

A large proportion of UK dentists are unhappy with the current NHS contract and unclear about how it will be changing, according to a new study.

Commissioned through Facts International by Denplan, the survey revealed that 49 percent are dissatisfied with working under the current NHS contract, with only three percent very satisfied and 29 percent fairly satisfied.

Moreover, 65 percent of dentists rate their knowledge about the current situation regarding NHS dentistry pilots and prototypes as fair or poor, with 76 percent saying they are frustrated that a finalised model has not been decided more than four years after piloting began.

The report also indicated that 95 percent of dentists are not confident that political assurances for NHS funding commitments will filter down to primary care dentistry, while 86 percent overwhelmingly agree they would like NHS England to state clearly what is and what is not available in NHS dentistry.

Finally, it was revealed that 73 percent of dentists do not think the Friends and Family Test, introduced in April, would be useful for either their practice or their patients.

Roger Matthews, chief dental officer at Denplan, said: "It is apparent from these survey results that many NHS dentists continue to feel disillusioned and frustrated with the lack of clear direction around the NHS contract changes."