NHS: 21% Dentist Posts Unfilled
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- Published: Wednesday, 20 November 2024 10:02
- Written by Stephen Van Russelt
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NHS England has published dental workforce data which confirms the worst suspicions of many in the profession. Around one fifth - 21% - of NHS dentist vacancies were unfilled in March 2024. The impact of this new revelation means a loss to the NHS of nearly half a million days (495,774).
The Dental Workforce Study reports the findings of a data collection on the dental workforce conducted in England. All dental providers who held either a General Dental Services (GDS) contract or Personal Dental Services (PDS) agreement to provide NHS care during the period covered by the collection were asked to provide data.
The data collection was carried out in May 2024 covering data as at the end of March 2024 and it reveals that 87% of dentist vacancies were for NHS work.
As well as exposing the number of vacancies, the data shines a bright torch on providers’ experiences in recruitment, retention and the occurrence of long term absences.
The British Dental Association says changes in how dentist workforce numbers are measured means the number of NHS full timers is also less than half of historic estimates. New figures show that while the total number of dentists doing ‘some’ NHS work in England is now placed at 25,367. ’The number of full-time equivalent NHS dentists is just 10,539’ the BDA argues.
’Traditional workforce data has failed to capture the exodus from NHS to private care, with a focus on headcount, not the amount of NHS activity undertaken’ a BDA statement said, adding that ’the BDA has long warned this gave dentists doing a single NHS check-up a year the same weight as a full timer.’
The BDA says the new data serves as ’a reminder why the Government must move rapidly to honour its pledges to reform the contract fuelling access and workforce crises in NHS dentistry.’
Shawn Charlwood, Chair of the British Dental Association’s General Dental Practice Committee said “Past Governments pedalled workforce numbers that were a work of fiction. The reality shows just how deep the crisis in NHS dentistry goes. A fifth of posts now stand empty, and every single vacancy translates into thousands unable to access care."
Dental Protection: ’Prioritise NHS Dentistry’
Meanwhile, leading indemnity provider Dental Protection has called on the Government to prioritise access to NHS dentistry, child oral health, growth of and support for the dental workforce and GDC reform as it develops its 10-year health plan for England, and ensure dentistry is not an afterthought.
The recommendations are outlined in Dental Protection’s submission to the Government’s Change NHS consultation, which is being undertaken as part of the development of the new 10-Year Health Plan.
The indemnity provider says access to NHS dentistry across the country must be tackled as a priority, as data from June 2023 shows that just 41% of adults had seen an NHS dentist in the last two years and more than a quarter of pensioners fear they will have to carry out their own dentistry.
It also urged the new Government to progress GDC reform.
Raj Rattan, Dental Protection’s Dental Director, said: “The government’s forthcoming ten-year plan for the NHS has to speak to the critical issues currently impacting dental professionals and patients.
“There are a number of long overdue reforms that would significantly improve the delivery of dental care and the patient experience. Access to NHS dentistry must surely be a high priority. On a societal level, it is clear that there is a gap between the public health ideals in the UK and actual service provision.
The NHS change survey closes on 2 December 2024 and Dental Protection’s full response can be seen here
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