{"id":244063,"date":"2023-12-19T00:20:29","date_gmt":"2023-12-19T00:20:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/?p=244063"},"modified":"2023-12-19T00:20:29","modified_gmt":"2023-12-19T00:20:29","slug":"universal-access-to-nhs-dentistry-likely-gone-for-good-as-millions-struggle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/lifestyle\/universal-access-to-nhs-dentistry-likely-gone-for-good-as-millions-struggle\/","title":{"rendered":"Universal access to NHS dentistry ‘likely gone for good’ as millions struggle"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The decades-long decay of NHS dentistry means universal care is \u201clikely gone for good\u201d, a damning report warns. An exodus of staff turning to private work, the pandemic, and a dysfunctional funding system were blamed for a crisis which has seen desperate patients tear out their own teeth.<\/p>\n

Experts said NHS dentistry had reached \u201cits most perilous point in its 75-year history\u201d as they demanded \u201cradical action\u201d to save it. They also suggested tough choices lie ahead about the extent of services offered on the NHS or the level of means testing.<\/p>\n

There were almost six million fewer courses of NHS dental treatment provided in England last year, compared to pre-Covid levels, analysis by the Nuffield Trust found.<\/p>\n

Funding for stood at \u00a33.1billion in 2021\/22, a fall of more than \u00a3525million in real terms since 2014\/15. NHS England currently funds around 80 percent of NHS dental care, with the remaining fifth covered by patient charges.<\/p>\n

Nuffield Trust chief executive Thea Stein said: \u201cWe need to see immediate action taken to slow the decay of NHS dentistry, but it is increasingly clear that we can no longer muddle through with an endless series of tweaks to the contract.<\/p>\n

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\u201cDifficult and frankly unpalatable policy choices will need to be made, including how far the NHS aspires to offer a comprehensive and universal service, given that it does not do so at present.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dennis Reed, director of over-60s campaign group Silver Voices, said: \u201cThe report is right that NHS dentistry has ceased to exist in certain areas of the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen older people downsize or move to be closer to grandchildren, they find that NHS dentists are not taking on any new patients, and some private practices are also full.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, Mr Reed rejected the idea that access may need to be further restricted through means testing.<\/p>\n

He warned: \u201cThis would lead to an epidemic of rotten teeth in the UK, across all ages, and a return of the common sight of false pairs of gnashers soaking overnight in family bathrooms.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dentists choose how much NHS work to do and have long been dissatisfied with the payment system, which rewards them for units of dental activity (UDA). UDAs were down 11 percent last year compared with pre-pandemic levels.<\/p>\n

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The number of dental practitioners employed in England rose from 29,000 in 2010\/11 to 37,000 in 2020\/21.<\/p>\n

But the number providing NHS care barely changed as many turned to better pay, shorter hours and more annual leave in the private sector, the report said.<\/p>\n

Despite these challenges, the UK performed well when it came to rates of oral diseases and tooth decay, which have fallen over time.<\/p>\n

However, the analysis raised concerns about health inequalities. People from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups were more likely to struggle for an appointment. Access was also poorer in coastal and rural areas, where there are fewer dentists.<\/p>\n

Rates of hospital tooth extractions among under 10s were five times higher in the most deprived parts of England compared with the least deprived.<\/p>\n

The report called for long-term action including reform of the dental contract towards a payment model based more on the number of patients in need, action to retain NHS dentists, and wider investment in public health.<\/p>\n

But it warned there were \u201cno easy options\u201d and it would cost billions each year to ensure everyone had access to NHS care.<\/p>\n

The focus should be on providing a basic core service for children, older people and those who cannot afford care, the authors wrote.<\/p>\n