Just one in 10 of the dentists Rishi Sunak claims have rejoined the NHS are taking on new adult health service patients.
The shocking truth was revealed by a Mirror probe with the British Dental Association. We can reveal practices on the NHS “Find a Dentist” website now only have to state they would take on new NHS patients “when availability allows”. Previously dentists were asked to state whether they were currently taking on new NHS patients.
Eddie Crouch, chair of the BDA, below, said: “Rather than trying to end the crisis in NHS dentistry, the government simply moved the goalposts on how it’s measured.” Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Any patient who has tried to get an appointment can see that Rishi Sunak is lying.”
British Dental Association Vice Chairman Eddie Crouch (British Dental Association)The Health Select Committee has labelled the NHS dental payment contract, which pays dentists the same amount for three fillings as 20, as “not fit for purpose”. The Tories’ recovery plan delayed meaningful contract reform until after the election. The Tories have been promoting the plan using maps on social media, indicating locations of practices said to be taking on NHS patients.
It stated nearly 500 more practices across England are accepting new adult patients as of April 8. But terms were changed to “when availability allows” on April 2. The government refused to release a full list, but the BDA called 100 to find just 10 were taking on new adult NHS patients.
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Mr Crouch added that the plan “hasn’t altered the grim reality facing millions”. Our online petition on the 38 Degrees platform, launched in partnership with the BDA, came in response to an exodus of dentists from the NHS. It has now reached 222,000 signatures.
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