Loss of Access To NHS Dentistry

Over 250,000 'lose access to NHS dentistry'

More than a quarter of a million people across England have lost access to NHS dentistry since the implementation of reforms in April 2006, official figures have revealed.

Statistics from The Information Centre show that 27,879,000 patients were seen by an NHS dentist in England in the 24 months up to June 30, 2007. This compares to 28,145,000 in the 24 months up to March 31, 2006 - a reduction of 266,000 patients.

Peter Ward, chief executive of the British Dental Association, said the statistics offer further evidence that the government's reforms to NHS dentistry are not achieving their stated aims.

"This contract has failed to improve access for patients and failed to allow dentists to deliver the kind of modern, preventative care they believe their patients deserve," he stated.

Liberal Democrat shadow health secretary Norman Lamb MP said the reform of the dental contract has been "a remarkable failure" for the government.

"People still cannot find an NHS dentist in much of the country and in many cases the new system doesn't provide enough money for dentists to treat NHS patients towards the end of the financial year," he added.

But chief dental officer Dr Barry Cockcroft said the changes were always going to be challenging for the NHS and for dentists and "will inevitably take time to bed down".

"Given that some 4% of previous services had to be replaced during the year, it is to the credit of the NHS and dentists that access has remained broadly stable during this transitional period," he added.

Health Insurance & Protection.com