Dentist shortage in UK to double by 2011 says Dept of Health

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 25 Jul 2004 - 13:00 PDT

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A new report by the UK Dept of Health (Primary Care Dental Workforce Review) indicates that the current serious shortage of UK dentists is going to get worse and will double by 2011. Last year England had 1,850 fewer dentists than it needed. This shortfall could rise to between 3,400 - 5,100, according to the Dept of Health.

Dental bodies, such as the BDA (British Dental Association) say the situation is already desperate.

The UK government says it plans to recruit 1000 new dentist by 2005 by attracting those who left the NHS, bringing in professionals from broad and increasing training places.

The report, however, says that these measures are nowhere near enough, even if the government managed to reach its target of recruiting 1,000 new dentists by 2005. By examining population projections and dental registration data the authors of the report say that the shortfall will be between 3,400 - 5,000 dentists by the year 2011.

Under 50% of the UK population are registered with an NHS dentist. Some parts of the UK have got so bad that the figure is a mere 20%.

The British Dental Association says the situation has reached 'crisis point'.