Dental charges rise in England
NHS dental patients taking a trip to their local practice will now face higher bills, as a planned price hike came into play on 1st April.
Earlier this year, the Department of Health announced fee increases for NHS dental services in England. The new charges, which equate to a 5% rise in England, have been condemned by the British Dental Association and the Oral Health Foundation.
Patients will now pay £22.70 for band 1 treatments, which include routine check-ups and a scale and polish. The price has increased by £1.60. The cost of dentures and other band 3 treatments has risen by £12.80 to £269.30, while band 2 treatments, including fillings and root canal therapy, now cost £62.10.
The BDA has slammed the government, accusing them of overcharging patients at a time when investment in NHS dentistry is falling. Prices have risen year on year on England, despite the fact that per capita spending has decreased, and dentists have warned that NHS treatment is becoming increasingly inaccessible for patients, especially those on low incomes.
Analysis conducted by the BDA suggests that patient charges are now being used to fund up to 30% of the NHS dental budget, an increase of almost 10% since 2010. In real terms, the government is investing £500 million less in NHS dentistry than it was a decade ago. The association claims that England is lagging behind other nations, with NHS dental services significantly cheaper in Scotland and Wales. In Wales, charges are up to a third lower, and per capita spending is around £36 in England, compared to more than £50 in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
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