Unmet need for NHS dentistry in England stands at 13m, says association

17 July 2024

The British Dental Association (BDA) has warned unmet need for NHS dentistry in England is at an all-time high. It said the data shows no sign of recovery for the struggling service.

It follows the release of the ‘2024 GP Patient Survey’ by Ipsos. This is the first year that the survey has moved to an ‘online first’ approach. However, this is clear growth from 2023, when total figures stood at around 12m.

The association said access problems predate the outbreak of Covid-19. Before the pandemic, unmet need for NHS dentistry hovered consistently at around four million (one in 10 of the adult population).

The BDA stated that dentistry has failed to return to pre-covid levels because of the policies of the previous government. According to the association, these policies did not sufficiently reform the NHS dental contract.

Analysis by the professional body of the GP Survey by Ipsos showed:

•            Unmet need for NHS dentistry in England now stands at 13m, or well over one in four of the adult population (28 per cent).

•            An estimated 5.6m adults tried and failed to secure an appointment in the last two years.

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