UK government unveils plan to combat NHS dental crisis

Fraser Macdonald, Dental Tribune International

Tue. 5 August 2025

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LONDON, England: The current state of public health dentistry in the UK is, without question, lamentable. Plagued by financial, personnel and regulatory issues, the country’s dental system has, first and foremost, failed its people, who are not only deeply dissatisfied but whose oral health is steadily deteriorating. Since coming to power in July 2024, the current UK government has proposed a raft of measures designed to stem this ongoing public health crisis. Recently, yet another suite of proposals has been advanced, though the concrete benefits for members of the public remain largely theoretical.

The unstable state of the UK dental system has been documented exhaustively, and recent data from the British Dental Association shows that one in four British adults, roughly 13 million individuals, have unmet National Health Service (NHS) dentistry needs, a truly staggering figure. In yet another rhetorical effort to quell the worsening crisis, on 8 July, the UK government announced several initiatives to rework the existing NHS dental contract, create new dental appointments and secure the long-term commitment of skilled personnel.

At present, it is often not financially worthwhile for dentists to treat patients who require more complex procedures like crowns or dentures. The government now aims to reform these ineffective aspects of the system by offering stronger incentives to dentists. Part of the proposed dental contract reform includes introducing a new treatment pathway for patients suffering from advanced periodontal disease or those with dental caries affecting at least five teeth. Additional funding will also be made available for adjustments to dentures, and dentists will be required to provide a set amount of urgent and unscheduled care annually.

Following from government data showing that 22.4% of 5-year-old schoolchildren in England had experience of obvious caries, the government plans to implement stronger preventive measures. These include wider use of tooth sealants for children with a history of caries and the ability to apply fluoride varnish without needing a full dental examination.

In terms of personnel retention, which is an ongoing challenge within the NHS system, the government’s Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, released in early July, sets out measures to improve dental access for all. This includes a requirement for newly qualified dentists to practise in the NHS for a minimum period, intended to be three years. Another lynchpin in the government’s strategy is the proposed creation of 700,000 dental appointments, which would significantly ease waiting times and provide dental care for many UK citizens with serious dental needs.

Speaking on the new governmental proposals in a press release, Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock said: “These reforms will bring common sense into the system again, attracting more NHS dentists, treating those with the greatest need first and changing the system to make it work. This is essential to our plan for change—building an NHS fit for the future and making sure poor oral health doesn’t hold people back from getting into work and staying healthy.” As with all other governmental proposals of this nature, the key will be to track the trajectory of such statements and to determine the extent to which they either gradually dissolve into the political ether or generate tangible benefits for UK citizens in need.

Topics:

Public Health Dentistry

Tags:

British Dental Association Dental funding Financial aspects NHS dental crisis Paediatric dentistry Personnel

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