Dental policy and government

CMA calls for dentist input to private dentistry inquiry

A review of the private dentistry sector has been launched by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to ‘make sure…

Breaking news

What do changes to the 700,000 appointment pledge mean for dentistry?

Ian Gordon considers the impact of recent changes to the government’s pledge to provide 700,000 extra dental appointments – are…

Dentistry

How will proposed student loan changes affect dental graduates?

Prime minister Keir Starmer has pledged to make the student loan system ‘fairer’, but what does this mean for the…

Dentistry

Pledged 700,000 extra appointments expanded to non-urgent cases

The 700,000 additional dental appointments promised by the government will now apply to a broader scope of cases, following criticism…

Dentistry

How switching to a digital ecosystem can make every patient consultation count

Restorative and aesthetic specialist Dr Amit Patel explains how he is redefining the patient experience by placing digital technology at…

Dentistry

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Clinical negligence found to cost the government £3.6 billion a year

A lack of ‘any meaningful action’ on clinical negligence has allowed its cost to the government to soar to £3.6…

Dentistry

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

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

Care leavers to receive extended access to free NHS dentistry

Care leavers will now receive free NHS dental care, prescriptions and eye care up to the age of 25 as…

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

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

From check-up to cosmetic consultation: mastering the transition

Manrina Rhode explains how to seamlessly move from a standard dental health check to discussing cosmetic treatments without running out…

Cosmetic Dentistry

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Campaign launched for government to fully fund NHS dental reform

A new campaign pushing for full funding for NHS dentistry has gained nearly 40,000 signatures in just three days. Launched…

Dentistry

NHS dental reform in Wales – will it be rescue or revolt?

The consultation on the reform of NHS dental services in Wales closed in mid-June – Louise Anderson shares her thoughts…

Dentistry

Calls made for Scottish Government-backed national dental labs

The dental practice sales market is buoyant in Scotland, with transaction levels rising and more entrepreneurial dentists keen to create…

Business

NHS trusts to be ranked in new league table

A new league table will rank every NHS trust in England according to performance metrics, the government has announced. Each…

Dentistry

Ban on energy drinks for under 16s welcomed by dentists

Dental experts have applauded the government’s proposal to ban energy drinks for under 16s, pointing to ‘real scope for gains…

Dentistry

Skilled Worker visas and UK dentistry – what has changed one year on?

This story was updated on September 29th 2026. A year after the government raised the skill threshold for the Skilled…

Dentistry

Government turns to Tiktok to warn against cosmetic work abroad

Tiktok will be used by the government to warn the public of the risks linked with travelling abroad to undergo…

Aesthetic dentistry