Access to NHS dental services widened in new reforms

  • Date: 26 July 2022

DENTAL therapists will be able to accept NHS patients for the first time as part of a raft of new reforms designed to improve patient access in England.

NHS dentists will be paid more for complex cases, while high-performing practices will be able to increase their activity by a further 10 per cent to see as many patients as possible.

The changes are part of an overhaul of the NHS England dental contract – its first major review in 16 years. It is hoped the reforms will help the profession recover following the impact of the pandemic and to clear treatment backlogs.

Among the changes are plans to pay NHS dentists more for complex cases, such as people who need three or more fillings, and for a greater focus on prevention.

Dental therapists will also be able to accept patients for NHS treatments, providing fillings, sealants and preventative care for adults and children, which NHS England hopes will free up dentists’ time for urgent and complex cases.

Chief Dental Officer for England Sara Hurley said the reforms would help teams carry out even more treatments, adding: “The NHS is determined to overhaul dental provision, with a focus on increasing access to necessary dental care and supporting prevention – [these] reforms are the first step on that journey.”

Abhi Pal, President of the College of General Dentistry, described the reforms as “significant improvements”, in particular the removal of “unnecessary restrictions on the roles played by members of the wider dental team”.

He added that the College also welcomed “the direction of more resource to the treatment of patients with greater needs, and the potential for practices to deliver additional care so that all funding allocated to dentistry is used for its intended purpose.”

This page was correct at the time of publication. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.

Save this article

Save this article to a list of favourite articles which members can access in their account.

Save to library

Related Content

MDDUS | Dentist

Introduction to human factors in dental practice

Coroner's inquests

Confidentiality for dentists

For registration, or any login issues, please visit our login page.