Dentist Pay Increased Following Healthwatch Advocacy

Following Healthwatch advocacy, the Department of Health and Social Care has announced an increase in payments for NHS dentists performing complex treatments. 

The move, as reported in The Independent, is designed to help tackle a backlog in dental care, and will incentivise practices to take on patients most in need of treatment. It also requires them to update information on the NHS website to reflect available services, helping patients locate practices offering treatment. 

Previously, dentists were paid the same amount for all 'band two' treatments, which includes fillings and extractions. Consequently, a dentist would be paid the same for doing one or multiple fillings and might therefore be unable to take on patients who needed more extensive treatments due to cost considerations.

Louise Ansari, Healthwatch England national director, said: "Thousands of people have spoken up about their struggles accessing an NHS dentist over the last few years, telling us about dental practices in many regions either closing down or not accepting new NHS patients. This announcement shows the power of their voices, with Government listening and taking action.

"The changes should help people find clear and up to date information on dentists taking on new NHS patients. While people with more complex dental problems will find it easier to access care because of the shift in how the NHS pays dentists. Ultimately, we hope these combined measures will help to reduce long waiting times, the extended periods of pain many people suffer and prevent the extreme cases of DIY dentistry we have seen.

"These changes are a good start and when put into practice can help ensure dental care that is accessible and affordable to everyone who needs it.”