Millions of dental treatments have been missed

British Dental Association analysis reveals that dentists have provided approximately 19 million fewer treatments in England since March this year compared to the same period last year.

The analysis, seen by the BBC, shows practices operating at a fraction of their capacity during the pandemic. It warns hundreds of practices could be forced to close within the next year without extra financial support. The British Dental Association has also warned that the reduction in the number of patients seen, paired with the closing of dentists, could have a dramatic impact on the patients' oral health.

NHS data shows 19 million fewer treatments - which includes both appointments for emergency treatment and check-ups - were offered in England between March and October in 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. Additionally, during September and October, dental practices were operating at just one third of last year's level.

New coronavirus regulations mean dentists have had to significantly reduce the numbers they treat, as they have to clean the surgery between patients to minimise the risk of transmitting the virus.

The association has now written to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock warning that, without government intervention, the country risks ‘an oral health crisis’.

Eddie Crouch, chair of the British Dental Association, said: “Covid restrictions have left dentists firefighting with huge backlogs, unable to see more than a fraction of our former patient numbers, especially in the NHS. We now face a Catch-22. New rules could bring back a dose of normality, but come with a multi-million-pound bill for new kit that practices simply cannot afford.

“On paper we have a chance to restore services to millions, but without support from Government it won’t translate into better access. The clock is ticking on an oral health time bomb, as dentists lose the chance to act on the early signs of decay and oral cancer. Ministers have a choice. Make an investment that would pay for itself and bring millions back through our doors, or leave patients waiting for the care they need.”

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: "The NHS is working hard to resume the routine elective services that were paused as part of the response to the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic. All dentists are able to remain open to patients and those holding NHS contracts have continued to be paid in full throughout the pandemic. Priority access is expected to be given to urgent care and vulnerable groups, with over 600 urgent dental centres continuing to provide extra support to the dental sector."