United in failure

11 September 2015
Volume 31 · Issue 6

Dental leaders from Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland have warned governments across the UK that continued failure to invest in oral health is unsustainable, as new data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre shows a sustained squeeze in professional incomes.

The Dental Earnings and Expenses, 2013/14 report underlines the scale of the challenge facing NHS dental practitioners across the UK, with incomes falling by at least a fifth in all nations and at all levels since 2008. 

Data shows incomes for practice owners in England and Wales have fallen by 21 per cent in real terms since 2008 – from £145,800 to £115,200 - with associates experiencing a 19.6 per cent drop, from £75,400 to £60,600.

Associates in Northern Ireland and Scotland saw their earnings decrease by over 27 per cent in the same period.

Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen, Chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee (GDPC):

“Dentists keep being asked to do more with less. Since the financial crash both practice owners and associates have had to stomach around a 20 per cent drop in their real incomes, and these cuts have consequences. Patients inevitably suffer when our profession is left incapable of investing in new equipment, and facing down a bourgeoning crisis of morale.

“When tooth decay remains the number one source of hospital admissions among children the only option on the menu in Holyrood, Westminster, Stormont and Cardiff Bay has been swingeing cuts. It’s time we saw some real investment in oral health.

Robert Donald, Chair of the Scottish Dental Practice Committee, said:

“The Scottish government has to consider the costs when it leaves a whole health profession demoralised, and think twice about the future.

“We have become the lowest paid dental practitioners in the whole of the UK, enduring years of cuts and red tape. Dentists in Scotland are under pressure, and government has a responsibility to ensure patients don’t end up paying the price.

Peter Crooks, Chair of the Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee, said: 

“Our priority is patient care, but politicians can’t keep taking money out of dentistry and expect business as usual. Eight years of sustained cuts are making it harder for practitioners in Northern Ireland to deliver the service our patients deserve.”

Katrina Clarke, Chair of the Welsh General Dental Practice Committee, said:

“Dentists in Wales are providing the highest quality care for their patients with ever decreasing resources. We’re seeing practitioners that can’t re-invest in their practices, and in the final analysis patients lose out.

“Recent evidence shows only two out of 48 dentists questioned in Cardiff are accepting new patients.  Our profession is stretched to the limit, and areas with the highest need are already feeling the pinch.”

 
Dental Earnings - 2008-2014


England and Wales

  • Providing-Performer dentists have seen average taxable income fall to £115,200 in 2013/14 from £145,800 in 2008/09, a 21.0 per cent decrease.
  • Performer only dentists have seen average taxable income fall to £60,600 compared to £75,400 in 2008/09, a 19.6 per cent decrease.

Northern Ireland

  • Associates average taxable income has fallen to £54,200, from £74,000 in 2008-9 – a 27.1 per cent decrease.
  • Principals’ fall was to £115,500 – compared to £144,200 in 2008-9, a 22 per cent decrease.

Scotland

  • Associates average taxable income has fallen to £56,200, from £74,700 in 2008-9 – a 27.1 per cent decrease.
  • Principals’ fall was to £98,400 – compared to £132,100 in 2008-9, a 22 per cent decrease.