Dentists have accused the government of applying “double standards” to NHS contracts, warning that promised reforms are at risk without new funding.
While the government has pledged a £485 million uplift for GPs to support a new deal, NHS dentistry has operated on a flat budget for over a decade. Government contributions in 2023‑24 were lower than in 2010‑11, leaving many practices delivering treatments at a loss and struggling to fill vacancies, the British Dental Association (BDA) said.
The BDA cautioned that continued underfunding, combined with a focus on urgent care, could turn a comprehensive system into a de facto emergency service. Nearly 14 million adults in England—more than one in four—currently have unmet dental needs.
Shiv Pabary, chair of the BDA’s general dental practice committee, said: “The government says it’s fixing the NHS’s front door, but a generation of savage cuts has left one part of it hanging off its hinges. Without investment, promised reforms may fail, and millions will remain unable to access care.”
Campaign group Toothless in England echoed the warning, highlighting that patients are increasingly resorting to “DIY horror” treatments. Mark Jones urged the government to fund reforms properly, end postcode disparities, and prevent families from being forced into despair.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the government is “turning around” NHS dentistry, rolling out extra urgent appointments, and reforming contracts to prioritize patients with the greatest need. They added that every penny of the £3.7 billion allocated for dentistry would be spent on those who need it most.