NHS Dental Recovery Plan - Our Response
The NHS and the Government have published a plan to recover NHS dentistry setting out a major new focus on prevention and good oral health in young children, and an expansion of dental workforce.
What's in the plan?
- NHS dentists will be given a ‘new patient’ payment of between £15-£50 (depending on treatment need) to treat around a million new patients who have not seen an NHS dentist in two years or more.
- People will be able to see which practices in their local area are accepting new patients on the NHS website and the NHS App. The government will roll out a marketing campaign encouraging anyone who has not been seen by a dentist for the past two years to access treatment.
- A new ‘Smile For Life’ programme will be rolled out to offer parents and parents-to-be advice for baby gums and milk teeth, with the aim that by the time children go to school, every child will see tooth brushing as a normal part of their day.
- Dental vans will help deliver dental treatment to people in rural and coastal areas.
- A water fluoridation programme will be rolled, which could reduce the number of tooth extractions due to decay in the most deprived areas of the country. Subject to consultation, the programme would enable an additional 1.6 million people to benefit from water fluoridation, first expanding across the North East.
What we think
Over the last few years Healthwatch Lincolnshire have continued to raise concerns on behalf of Lincolnshire people, about NHS dentistry, including providing evidence at the government health select committee which has resulted in the publication of the dental recovery plan.
Responding, to the NHS Dental Recovery Plan, Healthwatch Lincolnshire Contract manager Dean Odell said:
“The proposed dentistry recovery plan is a positive step forward in addressing critical issues in dental care. However, it's essential for dentists to fully embrace the new premium payment system, actively promote appointment availability for new patients, and prioritise those with urgent dental needs to ensure fair and equitable access to NHS dental services.
The increasing cost of living has made dental care less affordable for many, leading to a concerning trend where one in five* individuals are now avoiding dental visits due to financial constraints. This marks a significant increase from one in ten just a year ago, highlighting the urgent need for solutions to make dental care more accessible and affordable for all.
Initiatives aimed at incentivising dentists to work in underserved areas, often referred to as 'dental deserts', and the use of mobile dental vans to reach remote communities are commendable efforts. Additionally, expanding prevention programs for children is crucial for promoting good oral health from a young age.
While these measures are commendable, more transformative strategies are needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of NHS dentistry. One crucial aspect is to make it easier for people to register with a local NHS dentist and receive regular check-ups and preventive care, fostering trust and enabling proactive management of oral health issues.
Ultimately, the goal is for individuals to have easy access to comprehensive dental care, similar to how they would with a local general practitioner (GP), ensuring timely treatment and preventative measures are in place for optimal oral health outcomes.”
*Data from a poll of 2008 adults living in England, January, 2024
