Positive NHS Dentistry News, Fighting Back or Last Hurrah?
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- Published: Tuesday, 14 January 2025 08:51
- Written by Peter Ingle
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With Wes Streeting‘s ‘deaths door‘ comment about the state of NHS dentistry, and the BDA‘s series of last chance saloon warnings, it would be easy to conclude that the game was up for NHS dentistry.
Two recent stories from opposite ends of the UK, show that recent predictions of the demise of NHS dentistry might have been somewhat premature.
The Isle of Wight has become a dental desert as practices steadily withdrew from the NHS. A major blow came in October 2023, when BUPA decided to sell their practice in Ryde because they could no longer fulfil their NHS contract. Many Islanders were left with little choice but to travel to the mainland for dental care.
After documenting the gradual reduction in NHS dental access, The Isle of Wight Observer now has a positive story. An application has been made to the Council for a change of use to the upper floors of a landmark building in Ryde High Street, to allow the whole premises to be used as a dental practice. The lower floors, vacant since 2022, once housed a bank, with upper floors used as offices and residential space.
A Planning Statement prepared by the planning consultancy retained by the dental applicant said: “This application seeks to provide a dental surgery to meet increased demand in the face of rising challenges for the NHS.
The NHS is releasing more units of dental activity on the Isle of Wight to fill the gap left by the dental practices that have returned their contracts. The contract for the Ryde area would require a ten-surgery practice and this is why Damira Dental have purchased the building as it is the only site in the area big enough for ten surgeries.”
Founded in 2003, Damira Dental Studios has 42 practices across the UK, including in Ryde and East Cowes. A public consultation on the application will finish on January 31 and a council decision is expected on February 10.
In Scotland, The Herald ran an opinion piece written by Phillip Friel, setting out one organisations’ approach to keeping its surgeries staffed. Phillip is the Director of Dentistry and Co-founder of the Scottish Dental Care Group, which runs 21 practices. The group remains committed to offering both NHS and Private care. Indeed its website says, “As a group, we are delighted to provide the full range of NHS dental treatments for the patients under our care.”
He began with the telling statistic that of 334 dentists in Scotland, who have retired since 2020, only 10 had reached the state retirement age.
His analysis of the challenges facing Scotland’s dental sector will be familiar across the UK. He refers to decades of underinvestment, compounded by the challenges of Brexit and the pandemic. Patients are encountering long waits for care, and practices face the problems of staff shortages and an aging workforce.
Phillip Friel concluded that one solution emerged as both urgent and clear: “We must invest in the next generation of dentists. The future of Scottish dentistry depends on it.”
Despite rising patient expectations, rapid technological advancements, and an evolving healthcare landscape, many students and early-career professionals find themselves navigating these challenges with little guidance. Prioritising the training, mentorship, and professional development of young dentists could address the widening gap between the increasing needs of patients and the resources available to meet them.
Such investments, Phillips says, are not optional; they are critical to the long-term sustainability of the sector.
The vocational dental pathway in Scotland is a vital first stepping stone for new graduates, but more must be done to support the transition from education to practice.
For example, connecting early years dental students with dental practices, vocational trainers and experienced practitioners will help in preparing them for the realities of clinical care.
Nor are the challenges limited to supporting young dentists in their early careers. Retention within the sector is equally pressing, with practitioners leaving the profession early due to burnout. To that end, efforts must focus on providing not just technical training but also fostering environments where dentists feel supported, respected, and inspired to remain in the field.
Scottish Dental Care will introduce its own Pathways programme in 2025, offering tailored training and development opportunities, and seeking to address the unique challenges facing young dentists.
Phillip Friel believes that investing in young dentists today, will not only secure the future of the profession but also help to maintain access to care delivered by a well prepared and positive workforce. Similar initiatives, combined with targeted efforts to connect students with experienced mentors, and a clearly defined pathway for career development, are essential steps to develop the talent the dental sector needs.
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