Survey reveals dentists’, dental nurses’ concerns over future

LONDON: A staggering 73% of NHS dentists and 65% of dental nurses report dissatisfaction with their roles in the National Health Service, according to a recent survey that highlights growing challenges in the sector. Nearly two-thirds (61%) of dentists are considering reducing their NHS workload over the next two years, while 81% anticipate increasing private practice services, underlining a shift toward privatization.

The findings are part of Denplan’s report, The Future of Dentistry: Unlocking Solutions to Improving Oral Health, which emphasizes the urgent need for reforms in NHS dentistry.

Key findings:

• Only 1% of dentists believe the current NHS dental funding model supports high-quality care.
• 42% identified contract reform as the biggest issue, followed by recruitment and retention (27%) and inadequate oral health provisions for children (19%).
• Geographic disparities in access (5%) and the need for public awareness campaigns (10%) were also highlighted as pressing concerns.
• 91% of dental professionals say national policymakers lack understanding of the dental sector's realities.

The case for reform

One respondent explained the financial strain, stating:

“The funding is inadequate to cover the hourly rate needed to run a practice. Our practice subsidizes NHS work with private revenue. It would be impossible to operate fully under NHS and maintain high-quality care for patients.”

Proposed solutions

The report calls on the government to address systemic challenges through:

• Empowering the dental workforce with better support and recognition.
• Expanding preventive care initiatives to reduce long-term costs.
• Reforming funding models to ensure financial sustainability.

Government response

The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the challenges, stating:

“We inherited a dental system where access is limited. Our recovery plan prioritizes 700,000 urgent appointments and reforms to incentivize NHS participation.”

They also announced plans for supervised tooth-brushing programs for young children, aiming to instill better oral health practices early.

A sector at a crossroads

As dissatisfaction mounts, the urgency for meaningful reform has never been greater. The government and policymakers must bridge the gap between the current state of NHS dentistry and the sector’s potential to deliver equitable, high-quality care.