Plan to improve dentistry has comprehensively failed and it’s actually getting worse, MPs warn
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Plan to improve dentistry has actually made things worse, MPs warn
- A report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has found that the government's Dental Recovery Plan has failed to improve access to NHS dentistry and has actually worsened the situation.
- The plan, launched in February 2024, aimed to increase NHS dental treatments but has resulted in fewer new patients accessing care.
- Initiatives like the new patient premium and a recruitment scheme for dentists have not yielded the expected results.
- The PAC report highlights that current funding and contracts only cover about half of England's population for NHS dental care over two years.
- The committee calls for significant reforms to address the crisis in NHS dentistry, including a new contract with dentists and increased resources for local health boards.