Increase UK training places in dentistry and dental hygiene to help secure long-term sustainability of NHS dentistry, the government has been told.
The Dental Schools Council – which represents UK dental schools – has outlined a number of recommendations for addressing workforce shortages in a new report called Fixing NHS Dentistry.
It argues that with growing regional disparities in access to care, the UK is facing a ‘critical shortfall’ in meeting its dental needs.
The report includes a number of points, including:
1. Workforce expansion is essential
A commitment to increasing UK training places in both dentistry, dental hygiene and dental therapy.
2. Improve NHS dental careers
Reforms to the NHS dental contract, enhanced retention incentives and clearer career progression pathways to make NHS careers more attractive and sustainable.
3. Address regional disparities and tackle ‘dental deserts’
A more strategic distribution of training places and targeted outreach to underrepresented regions.
4. Long-term workforce planning to build resilience
A coordinated, long-term workforce plan. Expanded student numbers must be paired with strong support for clinical academics, whose role is to train the next generation of dental professionals.
5. Ethical concerns of recruiting dentists from overseas
Recruiting dentists from lower-income countries to fill gaps in the NHS raises ethical issues: while these professionals contribute greatly to the UK’s oral health through clinical work, research and teaching, their recruitment can strain the healthcare systems in their home countries.
6. Support public health to strengthen the economy
Addressing workforce shortages will improve access to preventative care, reduce NHS treatment costs and lead to better long-term public health outcomes.
The full report can be read here.
‘The closure of two dental therapy programmes recently, largely due to inadequate funding for clinical placements, is a major concern impacting on workforce planning…proper funding for these programmes is crucial’
Professor Ewen McColl, chair of the Dental Schools Council and head of the School of Dentistry at the University of Plymouth
Dental schools ‘ready to scale up’
Professor Ewen McColl is chair of the Dental Schools Council and head of the School of Dentistry at the University of Plymouth. ‘Dental schools are calling for bold action to meet oral healthcare demand and ensure every UK region has a skilled workforce,’ he said.
‘Dental schools stand ready to scale up, and thousands of highly motivated applicants are eager to take up new places the moment government funding is made available.
‘In addition to expanding training places, it is crucial that the NHS retains the professionals it trains. Retention difficulties must also be addressed, and stakeholders have outlined issues responsible including limited career development, inequitable payment structures, restricted access to pensions, and dissatisfaction with the dental contract. If the government is committed to improving access to NHS oral healthcare, it must create stronger incentives for the dental professionals it funds to remain in the public sector.
‘It is equally important to make better use of the diverse skill set of the entire dental team, including dental nurses, dental hygienists, and dental therapists, to ease the pressure of backlogs and reduce waiting times.’
He added: ‘The closure of two dental therapy programmes recently, largely due to inadequate funding for clinical placements, is a major concern impacting on workforce planning. Proper funding for these programmes is crucial for building a sustainable workforce and ultimately improving patient care which is in all our interests.’
Expansion of dental school training places
Louise Ansari, chief executive of Healthwatch England, said: ‘Healthwatch England welcomes the Dental Schools Council’s (DSC) proposals to tackle the urgent challenges in NHS dentistry. Workforce shortages play a key role in limiting access to dentistry, especially in the east and south west of England.
‘Our latest research shows one in six people struggle to get an NHS dental appointment, while one third face long waits for appointments.
‘The DSC’s proposals to expand training places and create regional hubs, would be positive steps towards creating more local NHS appointments and removing transport, time and cost barriers to dental care.’
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