NHS Dental Treatment Costs Surge by Nearly 40% Since 2015, Outpacing Inflation

UK: Patients seeking National Health Service (NHS) dental treatment in the UK have experienced a staggering 40% surge in costs since 2015, outpacing inflation by 25%. 

Despite this significant increase, some regions are grappling with a rise in ‘dental deserts,’ where up to 3,000 people are served by a single dentist. Research conducted by the Liberal Democrats has unveiled that while Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation has been 29.5% since 2015, the cost of NHS dental treatment has skyrocketed by over 37% during the same period.

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Band 3 Treatment Costs Witness Alarming Spike

The data further exposes a concerning trend in the expenses associated with Band 3 treatment, encompassing procedures like crowns or bridges – the most expensive tier of NHS dental care. Over the past eight years, there has been an £84.30 increase in the cost of a course of treatment, surging from £222.50 to £306.80, marking a substantial 37.89% escalation. Had CPI inflation been adhered to, the cost would have been £288.13, underscoring a nearly £20 disparity.

Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson, has sounded the alarm on the deteriorating state of the NHS dental system. Cooper advocates for a comprehensive overhaul to address the burgeoning issue of ‘dental deserts’ and the alarming rise of DIY dentistry. She emphasises the critical need for reform, increased funding for the NHS services contract, and a substantial augmentation in the number of training places for dentists.

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

Broken System

“Our NHS dental system is broken. NHS appointments are scarce at best and in some places don’t exist at all,” Cooper asserts. “During a cost-of-living crisis, people are being forced to spend hundreds, if not thousands of pounds on private dental care, with some even resorting to their own at-home DIY dentistry.”

Cooper criticises the Conservative government for its perceived inaction in addressing the escalating crisis, leaving dental patients grappling with pain and distress. The Liberal Democrats advocate for equal access to dental care, asserting that everyone should be able to access a dentist when needed. As dozens of councils face potential bankruptcy, the spotlight on the NHS dental system intensifies, demanding urgent attention and substantial reforms.