The UK Government has unveiled a sweeping consultation aimed at overhauling NHS dentistry, with a focus on improving access, incentivising dentists, and delivering more urgent care appointments for patients in need.
With satisfaction at a record low and over 1 in 4 adults struggling to access NHS dental care, the government’s proposed reforms aim to reverse the decline and restore public confidence. The consultation, launched today, proposes:
- Incentives for complex treatments like crowns, bridges, and dentures, making it more viable for dentists to treat patients with extensive needs.
- A new treatment category for patients with severe gum disease or multiple decayed teeth.
- Mandatory delivery of urgent and unscheduled care by NHS dentists each year.
- Increased funding for denture modifications.
The strategy includes robust preventative measures for children, such as wider use of tooth resin sealants for children with a history of decay, and fluoride varnish applications even without a full dental check-up.
This comes in response to alarming statistics: 22.4% of 5-year-olds in England have visible tooth decay, and dental issues remain the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged 5 to 9.
Stephen Kinnock, Health Minister, commented:
“We inherited a broken NHS dental system that is in crisis. We have already started fixing this, rolling out 700,000 urgent and emergency appointments and bringing in supervising toothbrushing for 3-5 year olds in the most deprived areas of the country.
“But to get us to a place where patients feel NHS dentistry is reliable again, we have to tackle the problems in the system at their root.
“These reforms will bring common sense into the system again, attracting more NHS dentists, treating those with the greatest need first, and changing the system to make it work.
“This is essential to our Plan for Change – building an NHS fit for the future and making sure poor oral health doesn’t hold people back from getting into work and staying healthy.”
To retain and motivate dental professionals, the government plans to:
- Ensure dentists feel rewarded and valued within the NHS.
- Require newly qualified dentists to work in the NHS for at least three years.
- Build on recent initiatives like the ‘Golden Hello’ recruitment scheme and 700,000 additional appointments rolled out nationwide.
The consultation will run for six weeks, closing on Tuesday, 19 August 2025. It builds on the government’s 10 Year Health Plan and aims to create a more accessible, efficient, and equitable dental system for all.
Image credit: iStock
