Impact Of Abolishing NHS England on Dentistry

The recent decision of abolishing NHS England could seriously impact NHS dentistry which, is already an area with several issues and this decision could make things worse.

The proposed 50% reduction in staff is a huge concern as less staff means less focus on dental public health initiatives. Over the years the dental public health workforce has been significantly reduced and further cuts may hinder efforts to improve oral health outcomes and tackle health inequalities as NHS dental treatments are declining, while millions miss out on the care they need.

Moreover, funding is also an issue, with budgets being lower than in 2014/15, many dentists are finding it harder to cover treatment costs through NHS fees due to which many dentists are leaving the NHS to work in the private sector. This shift is further exacerbates the problem of accessibility for those who rely on NHS care.

Lastly, the government has promised a dental recovery plan, but it’s been criticized for not fixing the real issues, e.g. low pay for dentists and not enough staff.

In conclusion, without major changes, removing NHS England could cause even more problems for people who rely on NHS dentists.