NHS dental charge prices have been hiked amidst growing concerns over the impact on the public.
Charges in England will increase by 8.5% from 24 April 2023. This will mean the cost of a band 1 treatment like a check up will increase from £23.80 to £25.80 while a band 2 like a filling will increase from £65.20 to £70.70.
A band 3, like dentures, will increase from £282.80 to £306.80 – an increase of £24.
As the cost of living crisis continues, the British Dental Association (BDA) have accused ministers of prioritising the lowering their own cash contributions to the service over tackling barriers to access.
While a proportion of the adult population is exempt from NHS charges, the BDA argue that many on modest incomes will be forced to think twice about seeking care.
Data indicates that around one million adults declined to see an NHS dentist for reasons of cost in 2022.
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Cold and calculated
Shawn Charlwood, chair of the British Dental Association’s General Dental Practice Committee said: ‘This is an utterly grotesque display of priorities from the Treasury.
‘This hike won’t put a single penny into a struggling service. Our patients are being asked to pay more simply so ministers can pay less.
‘The government did not have to go down this path during a cost of living crisis. This is a cold, calculated political choice, that will hit millions on modest incomes.
‘Ministers must know some face a choice between heating, eating and seeking NHS care. And they are carrying on regardless.’
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