Since November 2023, working patterns data has been collected from 30,066 dentists – representing two-thirds (66 per cent) of the dentist register – making it the single largest source of up-to-date working patterns information from individual dental professionals across the four nations.
Dentists have been encouraged to partake in the working patterns survey when completing their annual renewal with the GDC.
Nearly all the respondents (99 per cent) are currently working in the dental sector, with 0.8 per cent actively seeking work in the sector. The survey found that four out of five dentists work in England, with 11 per cent in Scotland, five per cent in Wales, and four per cent in Northern Ireland. More than half (59 per cent) are self-employed, agency workers or locums, while 20 per cent are employees, and 16 per cent are business owners or part-owners.
Other findings from the data include:
- Forty-four per cent of dentists are working 30 hours per week or less
- The majority (86 per cent) work predominantly or fully in clinical roles
- While 67 per cent work in general dental practice, the remainder work across dental hospitals (six per cent), community dental services (five per cent), and other hospital settings (four per cent)
- Sixty-one per cent are regularly working in one location, whilst 39 per cent are regularly working in more than one location.
- Forty-two per cent of dentists spend at least 75 per cent of their time delivering NHS care, with 15 per cent working exclusively in NHS settings
- Conversely, 20 per cent provide only private care, with a further 14 per cent working predominantly (over 75 per cent of their time) in private practice
Theresa Thorp, executive director of regulation at the GDC, said, “Two-thirds of registered dentists have now contributed to this comprehensive survey, providing us with an increasingly robust picture of dental workforce patterns. The data highlights important trends in working hours, practice settings, and the balance between NHS and private provision. We’re confident that these insights will support strategic planning by health services, governments and dental providers, and ultimately, help patients receive the care they need.
"We're committed to continuing this work and encourage all dental professionals to regularly update their information, particularly when there are changes to their working pattern circumstances, helping us build an even more complete picture of the profession."