A survey of 436 dentists found that:
- 85 per cent of dentists surveyed were not confident patients in their area had access to specialist NHS endodontic treatment
- 98 per cent of dentists surveyed have experienced of patients opting not to undergo root canal treatment. 42 per cent out of fear it would be too expensive, and 24 per cent out of fear it would be too painful
- 97 per cent of dentists surveyed have experience of patients opting to have teeth extracted when they could be saved by root canal treatment
- 93 per cent of dentists surveyed believe that the current dental contract does not recompense dentists fairly for the delivery of root canal treatment
The survey shows that many patients are having teeth extracted which could be saved by root canal treatment. The BES argues that well executed root canal treatment relieves severe dental pain and is extremely cost effective in the long term, especially taking into account the current pressure on the critical care services.
While dentists are trained to deliver routine endodontic treatment, the survey revealed many general dental practitioners are rightly hesitant to perform more complex procedures outside their training but do not have more specialized practitioners to refer patients in the NHS.
Currently there is no funding available for dentists to enhance their endodontic skills through training which would ensure they can undertake more complicated procedures which would provide patients with the best standard of care. Any additional training has to be financed by dentists themselves, and in the current economic climate, the survey shows this can act as a significant deterrent.
Similarly, many respondents indicated that a lack of recognition of endodontic treatment within the current NHS funding structure means that dentists lose money when they perform a root canal treatment on the NHS once equipment, staff and surgery running costs are taken into account.
The survey suggests that there are barriers to dentists performing root canal treatment and referring patients for more complex procedures under current NHS contracting arrangements, which may result in teeth being extracted unnecessarily. The BES believes that increased training and funding for the provision of endodontic treatment would result in a higher standard of treatment being delivered to patients and making for a more cost-effective NHS service.
This survey has confirmed the BES’s long standing concern that root canal treatment is underfunded within the current NHS dental contract, to the detriment of patients and dentists alike.
Murray Saunders, President of the British Endodontic Society, said:
“The results from our survey reveal major concerns from dentists about the current provision of NHS endodontic treatment across the UK.
“The BES is taking an active role working with NHS England to ensure that the dental contract reform process guarantees that patients receive the treatment which is most appropriate for them, delivered by the correct person and more fairly reflects the cost to dentists of delivering high quality root canal treatment.
“Improved delivery of root canal treatment will result in an increased number of teeth being saved, and patients being able to keep their smiles.”