Quarter Of A Million Lose Access To NHS Dentistry, UK

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 29 Nov 2007 - 3:00 PDT

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Statistics published by The Information Centre offer further evidence that the Government's 2006 reforms are failing to achieve their aim of improving access to NHS dentistry. The figures show that more than a quarter of a million people across England have lost access to NHS dentistry since the implementation of reforms in April 2006.

The statistics show that 27,879,000 patients were seen by an NHS dentist in England in the 24 months up to 30 June 2007, compared to 28,145,000 in the 24 months up to 31 March 2006, a reduction of 266,000 patients. This figure is in addition to the approximately two million people that the Department of Health acknowledges wanted access but were unable to get it before March 2006.

Peter Ward, Chief Executive of the British Dental Association, said:
"These statistics offer further evidence that the Government's reforms to NHS dentistry aren't achieving their stated aims. This contract has failed to improve access for patients and failed to allow dentists to deliver the kind of modern, preventive care they believe their patients deserve.

"It's time that the Government started listening to what dentists and patients are telling them and recognise that urgent action is required to address these problems."

Notes:

1. The Information Centre figures are available here.

2. The Department of Health's estimate of approximately two million people wishing to access NHS dentistry in England but unable to do so prior to the implementation of reforms in April 2006 is available here.

3. The Information Centre is an independent NHS Special Health Authority that collects, analyses and distributes national statistics on health and social care.

4. The British Dental Association (BDA) is the professional association for dentists in the UK. It represents over 20,000 dentists working in general practice, in community and hospital settings, in academia and research, and in the armed forces.

British Dental Association

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