Dental Therapists Could Unlock Better Access to NHS Dentistry

UK: A new report titled “Smiles All Round” from the think tank Onward has explored potential solutions to combat the ongoing dental access crisis in the UK and reduce costs within NHS dentistry. One of the key recommendations made in the report involves better utilization of dental therapists for routine check-ups and treatments within their scope of practice.

The report highlights the current challenges in accessing dental care within the NHS, with many patients facing long waiting times or struggling to find available appointments. This situation has led to widespread dissatisfaction and raised concerns about the long-term consequences for oral health across the country.

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Dental Therapists: A Potential Solution

According to the report, allowing dental therapists to perform routine check-ups and other treatments within their scope could help alleviate the access issues. The report states:

“We should all, as a matter of course, see dental therapists for our routine appointments. Dental therapists would refer people to dentists as and when necessary – just like a GP refers people to a specialist for more complicated cases.”

One of the concerns addressed in the report is the potential misconception that utilizing dental therapists could lead to lower quality treatment. Tim Leunig, Onward’s chief economist, dismissed this notion, stating:

“This is not dumbing down, or a reduction in quality. Dental therapists are highly trained and skilled. They have a three-year degree in dentistry. They can do this job.”

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Benefits of a Dental Therapist-Led Model

The report outlines several benefits of adopting a dental therapist-led model, including:

1. Increased Workforce: Allowing dental therapists to run their own practices would immediately increase the size of the workforce.
2. Lower Training Costs: Moving to a dental therapist-led system would lower the cost of training by about half, enabling the government to train twice as many professionals for the same cost.
3. Improved Access and Reduced Waiting Times: “Doubling the workforce over time is the best way to increase access and to cut waiting lists in a way that is sustainable,” according to Leunig.

Rethinking Dental Professionals’ Roles

The report also suggests that, to comply with the public’s understanding of a dentist’s scope, dental therapists could be retitled as “dentists,” while those with five years of training could be known as “consultant dentists.”

The “Smiles All Round” report argues that a new, more cost-effective approach is needed to address the dental access crisis in the UK. By better utilizing dental therapists and allowing them to work to their full scope, access to dental care could be improved, and the country’s overall oral health could benefit.