NHS Dental Fees Rise by 8.5% Amid Concerns of DIY Dentistry

UK: The cost of NHS dental check-ups has risen by 8.5% across the board, with an NHS check-up now costing £25.80, up from £23.80. More complex treatments, such as crowns, will now cost £306.80, up from £282.80, after the charges were frozen last December due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

There are concerns that millions who are struggling with the cost of living crisis will now be unable to afford dental treatment, forcing people to attempt to carry out their own dental work, leading to a return to “Victorian” times.

Many Unable to Afford Rise in Charges

The rise in charges comes as research reveals that less than half of children (44%) saw a dentist in England in the past year. The number of people who are going without appointments or cannot afford dental fees has risen to 11 million, up from four million in 2019, with 7.5 million people in England unable to access NHS dentists last year due to being turned away, left on long waiting lists, or put off by costs.

10% Brits have resorted to DIY dentistry

Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has cautioned that the dental crisis is leading desperate people to resort to performing DIY dentistry. In the Savanta ComRes survey of 2,234 UK adults carried out in August, 21% said they attempted to carry out dental work on themselves or asked somebody else who was not a dentist to assist them.

Cat Hobbs, director at anti-privatisation campaign group We Own It, has criticized the price increases, stating, “People shouldn’t have to pay to go to the dentist, get an eye test, or get their ears syringed. The government is lying when it says the NHS is free at the point of use. It’s Victorian.”

Ministers Working on Improvements

The Department of Health and Social Care has stated that ministers are preparing to announce further measures to improve access to NHS dental surgeries. 

“We are working to improve access to NHS dental care by investing more than £3 billion a year. We reformed the NHS dental contract to encourage more dentists to provide NHS treatments and allow dental therapists and hygienists to offer extra services, and increased the amount practices receive for high-need patients,” said a spokesman.

“There were over 500 more dentists delivering NHS care in 2022 than in 2021, but we know there is more to do and we will be announcing further measures to improve access across the country soon.”

Those who are exempt from paying NHS dental charges include those aged under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education, those being treated in an NHS hospital with their treatment carried out by the hospital dentist, pregnant or have had a baby in the past 12 months, and those receiving low-income benefits.