Health Minister Stephen Kinnock has declared an end to the era of "pliers and suffering in silence," unveiling what the government terms the most significant modernisation of NHS dentistry in years.
A Decade of Decay Addressed
In an exclusive article for The Mirror, Kinnock acknowledged that NHS dentistry has suffered over a decade of decay and decline. He stated that patients have been left unable to access necessary care, often forced into desperate situations, including attempting DIY dentistry. The minister credited the Mirror's 'Dentists for All' campaign for highlighting the crisis and pressuring the government to act.
The immediate response includes rolling out thousands more urgent dental appointments nationwide and introducing a supervised toothbrushing scheme for young children in the most deprived areas. However, Kinnock emphasised that these measures alone are not enough to fix the systemic issues at the heart of the service.
Landmark Contract Reforms Unveiled
The core of today's announcement is a suite of landmark reforms to the NHS dental contract, designed to prioritise patients with the greatest need and fundamentally reshape the service.
A central change is a major financial incentive for urgent care. All NHS dental practices will now be required to deliver urgent appointments, with the payment for this service skyrocketing from approximately £40 to £75. This represents an 80% uplift and aims to ensure patients can get care when they need it most, easing pressure on hospital A&E departments.
Long-Term Care and Workforce Investment
Beyond emergency fixes, the reforms aim to improve access to long-term treatment for conditions like gum disease and major tooth decay. The new payment structure for dentists is designed to make NHS work more sustainable and attractive.
Under the new system, patients could save around £225 on a course of treatment, while dentists will be paid either £250 or £700 depending on the complexity of the case. This move is intended to properly value dental professionals, offering them enhanced opportunities for learning and development to improve patient care.
The role of dental nurses is also being expanded, with new opportunities for them to deliver services focused on maintaining and protecting children's teeth.
Stephen Kinnock concluded by stating the government's mission is to rebuild NHS dentistry for the long term, placing patients at the forefront and bringing the service into a new era where it is reliably there for all who need it.
