Not a single dental practice in Nottingham is taking on new adult NHS patients, according to a recent survey. The research, carried out by the BBC and the British Dental Association (BDA), found that, of 36 practices with NHS contracts contacted, 100 percent were not taking patients on.
In wider Nottinghamshire, 96 percent of dentists were closed to new NHS patients. It follows a national trend, with nine in 10 practices not accepting new NHS patients.
NHS Midlands said the Covid pandemic had delayed appointments by an estimated 12 months. Alex Norris, Labour and Co-operative MP for Nottingham North, said the crisis had been worsened by the government ignoring the problem.
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“Eighteen months ago I called for the government to work with dentists to improve access for people across the country. Instead they have ignored the problem," said the Labour MP who served as Shadow Health Minister between 2020 and 2021.
"Now Nottingham people can’t even get on the list. This needs bold action now.” Dentists with NHS contracts are paid to deliver a certain number of treatments and follow-ups. Outside of this contract dentists may choose to carry out private work.
But mydentist, which runs numerous dental practices across Nottingham, including in the city centre, The Meadows, Sneinton and Mapperley, said there was an acute shortage of dentists which meant its practices were struggling to meet the demand for NHS treatment.
"We are doing everything possible to recruit new NHS clinicians to join our practice teams but, in common with other dental providers across the country, some of our practices are struggling to meet high patient demand for NHS treatment,” a spokesperson said.
The BDA, a union which represents dentists across the UK, said NHS dentistry was at a "tipping point". "We're seeing the results of years of chronic neglect, set into overdrive by the pressures of the pandemic," said Shawn Charlwood, chair of its General Dental Practice Committee.
"The question now is will Ministers step up before it's too late? Nothing we've heard from government to date gives us any confidence this service has a future. Without real reform and fair funding NHS dentistry will die, and our patients will pay the price."
A spokesperson for NHS Midlands said: "During the pandemic it is estimated 12 months’ worth of appointments were lost owing to lock downs and infection prevention and control measures. Schemes have been put in place giving NHS dentists additional activity to operate extra weekend appointments to see more patients.
"This scheme also provides additional appointments for urgent cases each day during weekdays. Anyone who has an urgent need for a dentist should contact NHS 111."
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