NHS dentistry may not fully recover, BDA warns

NHS dentistry may not fully recover, BDA warns

Following the NHS Dental Statistics 2022/23 published today, the British Dental Association (BDA) has warned that there is no prospect of NHS dentistry returning to pre-COVID-19 levels without radical reform.

The statistics show that there were 32.5 million courses of NHS treatment delivered – this is 82% of the 39.7 million provided in 2018/19.

The BDA has stated that these figures show NHS dentistry is struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels without ‘radical and urgent change’.

As a result, the professional body warns that limited gains in the past year will not reduce an ‘ever-growing backlog’. This is because of patients are presenting with a higher level of need with ongoing access issues.

Broken system

The statistics also revealed:

• Around 18.1 million adults were seen for NHS dental treatment in the 24 months up to June 2023. This is 17.5% lower than the 22 million seen in the 24 months up to June 2019
• Around 6.4 million children were seen in the 12 months up to June 2023, which is 9% lower than 2019 levels
• Some 24,151 dentists performed NHS activity during 2022-23. This is a decrease of 121 dentists on the previous year
• Almost half of children in England (44%) did not have an annual check-up with an NHS dentist last year.

Eddie Crouch is chair of the British Dental Association. He said: ‘We’re seeing the limits on the recovery and this government’s ambition.

‘Demoralised dentists are walking away from a broken system, while millions struggle to access the care they need.

‘NHS dentistry can come back from the brink, but only if ministers turn the page.’