NHS dentistry review delivers damning verdict
A review of NHS dentistry has delivered a damning verdict.
The review, which was conducted by the Commons’ Health and Social Care Committee, a cross-party panel, concluded that it was ‘totally unacceptable’ that people were experiencing pain and suffering because they cannot get an NHS dental appointment.
The government ordered an urgent review of the service after a BBC investigation found that 80% of practices were not accepting new NHS child patients and 90% of practices had no NHS adult places available. In some areas, which have been labelled ‘dental deserts,’ there were no spaces at all.
Steve Brine, chair of the committee and Conservative MP, said that the review highlighted several key issues, which need to be addressed rapidly. There are recommendations from 15 years ago that have not yet been implemented and the current contract, which rewards NHS dentists by paying them per UDA (unit of dental activity) is ‘not fit for purpose.’
The findings of the review, Mr Brine said, should send alarm bells ringing and prompt an urgent response from the government.
Investigations carried out by the BBC and the British Dental Association suggest that some people are driving hundreds of miles to see a dentist, such is the shortage of NHS dentists in parts of the UK. DIY dentistry is also on the rise. One woman who spoke to BBC reporters had removed more than ten of her teeth because she couldn’t get an NHS appointment and she was unable to take the pain any longer.
A government spokesperson said that NHS dental services receive more than £3 billion in funding every year.
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