Over 70% Dentists Dissatisfied With Their NHS Roles

Low Job Satisfaction Among NHS Dentists and Nurses

A recent survey reveals that nearly three-quarters (73%) of NHS dentists and 65% of dental nurses are dissatisfied with their roles in the National Health Service. These figures come as significant numbers of dental professionals express frustration with their working conditions and financial pressures.

One dentist highlighted the underlying financial challenges, stating: “The funding is inadequate to cover the hourly rate needed to run a practice. Our practice subsidises our NHS work with private work substantially. It would be impossible to be fully NHS and provide high-quality care to patients.”

Shifting Toward Private Practice

The survey found that 61% of respondents are considering reducing their NHS work over the next two years. Meanwhile, 81% plan to increase their private practice workload during the same period, signaling a shift that could affect patient access to NHS dental services.

The financial model for NHS dentistry remains a critical concern. Only 1% of surveyed dentists believe that the current funding structure supports high-quality care delivery.

Call for Contract Reform and Policy Change

The survey highlighted contract reform as the most pressing issue facing the dental sector, with 42% of respondents prioritizing this concern. Recruitment and retention challenges (27%) and the lack of targeted oral health initiatives for children (19%) were also noted as key challenges. Lesser but still significant issues include the need for public awareness campaigns (10%) and addressing geographic disparities in dental access (5%).

Catherine Rutland, clinical director for Denplan, urged policymakers to take a more holistic approach: “With the government’s forthcoming NHS 10-Year Plan, our members urge policymakers to consider dentistry’s mixed economy when shaping the healthcare agenda. Oral health cannot be sidelined any longer. The time to act is now.”

Policymakers Urged to Act

Denplan’s report, The Future of Dentistry: Unlocking Solutions to Improving Oral Health, calls for specific reforms, including:

• Empowering and elevating the dental workforce.
• Expanding preventive care initiatives.
• Reforming financial models to ensure sustainability.

An overwhelming 91% of dental professionals believe national decision-makers lack an understanding of dentistry, and 83% feel the same about local decision-makers. Rutland emphasized the need for cross-department collaboration, stating, “A future where all patients have access to care, practices are fairly rewarded, and dental teams feel fulfilled requires cohesive action.”

Government Response to Concerns

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the challenges, noting: “We have inherited a dental service where many people are struggling to find an NHS dentist and a recovery plan that is not fit for purpose. This government is committed to rebuilding dentistry, but it will take time.”

To address these concerns, the government has announced plans to:

• Add 700,000 urgent dental appointments.
• Reform the NHS dental contract to incentivize participation.
• Introduce supervised toothbrushing initiatives for young children.

Liberal Democrat MP Helen Morgan lauded the report as a step toward systemic change: “Together we can build a healthier, more resilient dental sector that prioritizes access, quality, and innovation for both patients and providers.”

The findings highlight an urgent need for reform in NHS dentistry, as dissatisfaction among professionals and reliance on private practice threaten the accessibility of affordable dental care. The upcoming NHS 10-Year Plan will be a critical opportunity for policymakers to address these systemic issues.