NHS in crisis

What does the 2026 NHS contract amendment mean for dentists?

Rather than fundamental contract reform, the 2026 NHS dental contract amendment is more of a rebalancing exercise, argues Julian Perry.…

NHS in crisis

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Dental public health ‘stuck in limbo’, experts warn

Dental experts have said that ‘huge delays’ to the merger of NHS England and the Department of Health and Social…

Dentistry

NHS dentists required to deliver minimum level of urgent care

NHS dental contract holders will have to deliver 8.2% of their contract value as urgent or unscheduled activity in 2026/27,…

Dentistry

Government dentistry underspend falls by 91%

Unused government budget for NHS dentistry has fallen from £392 million in 2023/24 to just £36 million, the care minister…

Dentistry

Are NHS regulations fair for associates?

Neel Kothari draws on previous cases of dental professionals breaching NHS regulations to determine if associates are being fairly governed.…

Columnists

Will changes to the NHS dental contract succeed? The profession responds

The government has announced significant reforms of the NHS dental contract – experts from the dental profession, dental industry and…

Dentistry

Exclusive: reforms to dental contract are a ‘positive step’, says CDO

Chief dental officer (CDO) for England Jason Wong introduces the newly-announced changes to the NHS dental contract and the motivations…

Dentistry

Latest NHS dental contract changes released

The government has revealed the latest overhaul of the NHS dental contract, with prioritisation given to patients with the most urgent…

Dentistry

Proposed dentistry voucher scheme slammed by experts

A proposal for the government to provide the public with a £150 voucher towards private dental care would ‘mean the…

Dentistry

Referral chaos: are secondary care services for dentistry in crisis?

Neel Kothari asks why the process for referral to secondary care services in dentistry has become so complex, and what…

Columnists

What are the motivations for NHS dentistry in England?

Early career ideals may draw dentists into the NHS – but building pressure around the NHS contract and finances are…

Dentistry

Why reforming the ORE would benefit NHS dentistry

‘A fairer system would not only help candidates like me but also benefit the NHS and patients’ – we hear…

Dentistry

Government orders investigation into costs and practices of private dentistry

Chancellor Rachel Reeves ordered a market study into private dentistry this week amidst concerns of ‘hidden costs’, reports suggest. The…

Dentistry

New dental training facility will provide NHS care for thousands

A new dental clinic that will train 130 new dental students a year and provide NHS care to more than…

Dentistry

More than 120,000 people demand better funding for NHS dentistry

Campaigners travelled to Westminster today to deliver a petition backed by thousands calling for the government to fund NHS dentistry.…

NHS in crisis

Poor NHS staff wellbeing stats prompt ‘crucial’ new support initiatives

As nearly half (47%) of NHS staff report their work negatively impacting their mental health, £2.4 million of funding has…

Dentistry

Children’s access to NHS dentistry remains ‘very poor’, analysis shows

Rates of tooth decay among children remain very poor, new analysis shows – but experts suggest ‘cautious optimism’ surrounding government interventions.…

Health & research

GDC ‘must modernise’ to secure future of dentistry, dental leaders tell health secretary

A dental association this week told health secretary Wes Streeting that reform of the General Dental Council (GDC) is a…

Dentistry

Should the NHS pick up the pieces when ‘Turkey teeth’ go wrong?

Neel Kothari considers whether NHS dentists in the UK are obliged, or even able, to step in when overseas ‘Turkey…

Columnists