Access To NHS Dentistry Declines Again

A million fewer adults and more than 200,000 fewer children have been able to access an NHS dentist in England since the Government implemented reforms to dentistry in April 2006, according to official figures published today.


The NHS Information Centre report reveals that 19,348,000 adult patients were seen by an NHS dentist in the 24 months up to 30 June 2008, compared to 20,348,000 in the 24 months up to 31 March 2006. The same period saw the number of children able to access NHS dental care drop from 7,797,000 to 7,587,000.


Prior to the implementation of the reforms the Government estimated that approximately two million people who wanted access to NHS dental care were unable to get it.


Reacting to the figures, BDA Chief Executive Peter Ward said:

"These figures provide yet more evidence of the problems created by the Government's 2006 dental reforms. More than 1.2 million fewer people in England are able to access an NHS dentist now than was the case before the reforms were implemented. That means that, according to the government's own figures, there are more than three million people in England alone who want access to NHS dentistry but can't get it.


"Patients who are able to access care are confronted with a system driven by targets that discourages modern, preventive care. That is difficult for dentists, who want to focus on providing the best possible care for their patients.


"Problems with the NHS dental reforms are well documented and have been acknowledged by the Department of Health. For the good of patients and dentists alike, it's time for them to enter into the long-overdue dialogue necessary to resolve these problems."


Notes


1. The NHS Information Centre figures are published at: ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/primary-care/dentistry/nhs-dental-statistics-q1-2008-09 .


2. The Government's estimate that, prior to April 2006, two million people wanted access to NHS dentistry but were unable to get it is available here.


3. Dentistry was the subject of a Health Select Committee report earlier this year. Details, including the BDA's response to the report, are available at: bda/advice/update.cfm?ContentID=2063.


4. The British Dental Association (BDA) is the professional association for dentists in the UK. It represents over 20,000 dentists working in general practice, in community and hospital settings, in academia and research, and in the armed forces.


John Hilsdon

Head of Public Affairs

British Dental Association

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