Majority of UK dental practices closed to new NHS patients
Today the crisis facing NHS dentistry is leading the news in every UK nation.
A UK-wide survey by the BBC found that 687 of the 839 (82 per cent) dental practices in Scotland which have NHS contracts were closed to new adult patients - compared to 91% in England - with 79% not accepting new child patients, the same percentage as in England. Of those closed to new adult patients, nearly one in five said the waiting time to join their patient list would be a year or longer.
The BBC identified and attempted to contact every General Dental Services provider.
“NHS dentistry is at a tipping point” according to GDPC Chair Shawn Charlwood, “with millions unable to get the care they need and more dentists leaving with every day that passes.”
The British Dental Association called for the 170% rate to remain while talks continue on a revised fee model, with warnings that struggling dentists will simply opt to retire, go fully private, or sell their practices.
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