Unused government budget for NHS dentistry has fallen from £392 million in 2023/24 to just £36 million, the care minister has announced.
Minister of state for care Stephen Kinnock told parliament today (13 January) that underspending on NHS dentistry had dramatically reduced in the past year.
The large underspend in dentistry has previously been cited as evidence of ample funding available for NHS dentistry. However, the British Dental Association (BDA) said it was likely due to practices being unable to fill vacancies or commit to delivering NHS appointments at a loss. The association stressed that the reduction in unused budget means there are ‘now no excuses for government not to invest in easing the access crisis’.
Shiv Pabary, chair of the BDA General Dental Practice Committee, said: ‘Ministers have used the vast underspends in NHS dentistry as an excuse not to invest. Underspends have now all but vanished, yet we still have an access crisis. We have practices delivering NHS care at a loss. Without sustainable funding there is no way to restore care to millions.’
How is the government reforming NHS dentistry?
This comes as the government has announced that changes to the NHS dental contract will be introduced in April 2026. The government said the reforms represent ‘the most significant modernisation of the NHS dental contract in years’.
Changes will include incentives for dentists to provide emergency and complex treatments through the introduction of a standardised payment package.
Stephen Kinnock said: ‘This is about putting patients first and supporting those with the greatest need, while backing our NHS dentists, making the contract more attractive, and giving them the resources to deliver more.
‘This marks the first step towards a new era for NHS dentistry after a decade of decline, one that delivers for patients and our dedicated dental professionals.’
Find out more about the changes to the contract here.
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