The NHS has outlined new arrangements for urgent primary dental care for the 2025/26 period, alongside confirmation of the closure of the New Patient Premium (NPP) scheme on 31 March 2025. These measures are part of the government’s broader commitment to improving dental care access and securing an additional 700,000 urgent dental care appointments annually.
Urgent Dental Care Expansion
NHS England has been reviewing urgent dental care services to address key challenges, including access issues and payment structures within the current contract. While long-term reforms are under consideration, immediate steps are being taken to increase access to urgent dental care from April 2025.
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are tasked with commissioning additional urgent dental care capacity between April 2025 and March 2026. Funding for this expansion will come from existing dental allocations. ICBs will be required to secure a minimum number of additional appointments, with specific targets outlined in Annex A of the NHS guidance.
To achieve this, ICBs may consider:
» Expanding current contracts or commissioning new services.
» Implementing flexible commissioning models to maximize service delivery.
ICBs must also provide accurate reporting of urgent care activity. Any additional urgent care services not captured in standard reporting mechanisms will require separate data collection. NHS England has emphasized that urgent care reporting should only include immediate disease management and exclude long-term stabilization treatments.
A draft national service specification has been released to guide local commissioning plans, with clinical guidance to follow. ICBs will need to submit a planning template, detailing past urgent care activity and plans for additional capacity in alignment with their allocated share of the 700,000 extra appointments.
Closure of the New Patient Premium Scheme
The New Patient Premium (NPP) scheme, introduced to encourage dental practices to accept new NHS patients, will end as scheduled on 31 March 2025. Treatments for eligible patients must be completed by this date to qualify for NPP credit. Further details regarding the closure of the scheme will be shared via the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) and primary care bulletins.
Future Initiatives
In addition to urgent care expansion, the government plans to introduce a national supervised toothbrushing scheme aimed at improving oral health among 3 to 5-year-olds most in need. Further details will be provided by the Department of Health and Social Care.
For more information on these developments, visit NHS England’s website or contact your regional director of primary care.
