BDA warns dental fee increase will push patients away
The British Dental Association (BDA) has warned that increased NHS dental fees will push patients away.
In April, the government confirmed prices for NHS treatment would rise. The hike, which represents an 8.5% increase, means that the cost of a basic check-up has now reached more than £25 in England.
As well as putting people off going to the dentist, the BDA claims that cost has become an increasingly influential factor for patients who are exploring treatment options. A growing number of people are likely to choose treatments or services based on cost, rather than the advice of their dentist, a new survey claims.
A YouGov poll revealed that 23% of adults in England are delaying or putting treatment off due to cost, while 45% said that cost influenced their choice of treatment. This figure was higher than the proportion of people who said that clinician recommendations were the primary influence (36%). Over 80% of adults felt that free NHS dentistry should be expanded to more people, including cancer patients, and the majority of those surveyed backed a freeze on NHS dental charges.
The BDA suggests that funding for NHS dentistry has been largely static for almost a decade and claims that spending is the lowest in terms of the proportion of the total health budget in Europe. Per capita spending in the UK is lowest in England, despite higher prices. Dentistry charges are significantly lower in other parts. The cost of a check-up, for example, is £25.80 in England and just £14.70 in Wales.
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