UK Government's Dental Recovery Plan Declared a 'Comprehensive Failure'

The Public Accounts Committee reports worsening access to NHS dental care, with systemic issues and funding shortfalls leaving millions underserved.

The Public Accounts Committee has deemed the 2024 Dental Recovery Plan a complete failure, with access to NHS dentistry worsening since its implementation.
Despite costing £88 million, the plan has resulted in 3% fewer new patients accessing NHS dental services, and key initiatives like mobile dental vans have been discontinued.
The 'golden hello' recruitment scheme has fallen significantly short, appointing fewer than 20% of its target 240 dentists by early 2025.
Current NHS dental funding and contracts are only sufficient to serve about half of England's population over a two-year period, with vulnerable groups disproportionately affected.
Public satisfaction with NHS dentistry has plummeted to a record low of 20%, with calls for fundamental reform and a new dental contract gaining momentum.