 New dental surgeries are inundated with patients wanting to register |
Millions of pounds is to be invested in NHS dentistry in England to fund major reforms of the service, the government has announced. It has promised an extra �368m for dental services, and to recruit an extra 1,000 by October 2005.
The government plans to attract dentists who have left the NHS back and to recruit abroad. A 25% increase in training places is also promised.
The British Dental Association welcomed the announcement of extra funds.
Announcing the plans, Health Secretary John Reid said: "I want more people to be able to see an NHS dentist. "So we are investing an extra �368 million in NHS dentistry, recruiting 1,000 more NHS dentists in little over a year and reforming the dental system to improve the long term oral health of the nation."
The government hopes to meet its target to increase the number of dentists working in the NHS by encouraging those already working in the health service to increase their commitment to it and attract back those who have taken career breaks.
 | WHERE THE EXTRA DENTISTS WILL COME FROM Attract back dentists who have left the NHS Recruit from EU countries Make it easier for overseas dentists to register and work in England Increase the number of training places at dental schools |
Dentists will also be recruited from across the EU, including new member countries such as Poland, and it will be made easier for dentists from overseas to register to work in the NHS. Longer-term plans include funding another 170 dental school training places from October next year- a 25% increase.
By 2005/06, spending on NHS dentistry will increase by 19% a year compared to 2003/04.
Some of the funding will be devolved down to primary care groups. They will take over the funding and commissioning of local NHS dental services in England in 2005.
The change will mean PCTs will either have contracts with dentists to provide dental care or will provide the services themselves.
Under the plans, dentists will receive funding depending on the number of patients in the local population instead of receiving a fee per treatment carried out as happens now.
Overseas dentists
The government has also promised to introduce a new contract for dentists which will be less bureaucratic and complex.
There will also be new roles for dental hygienists and nurses. Five years ago, Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged everyone who wanted it should have access to NHS dental care.
But it is estimated that around half the population in England do not have access to an NHS dentist.
Health Minister Rosie Winterton said: "We are confident that the new contract will work for NHS patients and dentists alike because we've successfully piloted it across the country.
"I'm confident that many dentists will want to take up the new contract because it removes them from a treatment and paperwork treadmill."
Funding share
Ms Winterton said the government was awaiting guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence on how often people should go for a check-up.
She said the government would then look at revising the existing system.
Currently, patients have to register with a dental practice and attend every six months - even if their teeth and gums are healthy - in order for dentists to be paid for their care.
Dr John Renshaw, chair of the British Dental Association's Executive Board, said: "At long last the government has begun to take notice of the queues and the distress of the tens of thousands of people without access to an NHS dentist.
"It's not that dentists have been walking away from the NHS, more that the NHS has been walking away from dentistry. Today's announcement marks a positive first step on the long walk back."
Frances Blunden, acting head of policy at the Consumers' Association, said: "Patients need to be able to go to a dentist whenever they need. The government's proposals should help people to find an NHS dentist, but it will do nothing for those who cannot afford the treatment in the first place.
"This is a major issue that the government still needs to tackle."
Shadow Health Minister, Andrew Murrison, added: "Labour has neglected NHS dentistry for too long and, depending on the success of the government's proposed new contract, the public may still be queuing to register with an NHS dentist for years to come."
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We are confident that the new contract will work for NHS patients and dentists alike 
