Industry experts warned that nearly half of high street dentists in England are ‘severing ties’ with the NHS and becoming private.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the current trend continues, the British Dental Association (BDA) predicts that “NHS dentistry will die\u201d and millions of patients could be left with “no options.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Desperate patients have turned to unsafe ‘DIY’ operations as a result of the NHS crisis, which has been exacerbated by the Covid epidemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Around 3,000 dentists have stopped working for the NHS since March 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While most dentists provide both NHS and private care, the results of the poll suggest that the balance may soon move in favour of more private care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the outbreak began, nearly half of the 2,200 dentists polled have cut their NHS commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the next 12 months, 75% are ‘likely’ to reduce or further reduce their NHS commitment, according to the data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Almost 65% have said their practice has unfilled vacancies for dentists, while 87% revealed they have experienced symptoms of stress, burnout or other mental health problems in the last 12 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The professional body is calling for ‘radical and urgent’ action from the Government to help struggling dentists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shawn Charlwood, chairman of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, said: ‘Overstretched and underfunded, thousands of dentists have already left the NHS, but many more have begun severing their ties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘This is how NHS dentistry will die, a lingering decline that unchecked will leave millions of patients with no options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘Without urgent reform and adequate funding there is little hope we can halt this exodus.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It comes as MPs on the Health and Social Care Committee are to examine issues in the sector at a meeting on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier this month it was revealed some Britons struggling to access an NHS dentists are flying overseas for treatment claiming it is cheaper than paying privately. <\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Industry experts warned that nearly half of high street dentists in England are ‘severing ties’ with the NHS and becoming private. If the current trend continues, the British Dental Association … <\/p>\n