A declining NHS dentistry workforce – Nigel Jones
NewsPosted by: Dental Design 12th April 2018
The number of people leaving the NHS dentistry workforce has been growing, according NHS Digital figures. The statistics show that the number of dentists leaving the NHS has risen every year since 2012/13, whilst the number joining has declined.
Over the four-year period from 2012/13 to 2015/16 the number joining the NHS reduced from 1,693 to 1,646, while the number leaving rose from 1,218 to 1,629.
Having said that, the total number of NHS dentists has grown during the same period from 23,201 to 24,089. However, it then dipped to 24,007 in 2016/17 and during the previous year only 17 more people joined the NHS than left (there are no figures for the number of leavers in 2016/17 yet).
Taking into account the ongoing onslaught of negative newspaper headlines surrounding the NHS and dentistry, reports of low morale from the NHS Confidence Monitor, the BDA and NHS Digital, and a £27 million rise in clawback in just one year – these figures perhaps aren’t unsurprising.
They are still, however, shocking, especially when you take into account the number of dentists working part time, and a sad reflection of the state of the NHS in the year that it celebrates its 70th anniversary.
A continuing trend
Unfortunately, it looks like it is a trend that is set to continue as figures from the NHS Confidence Monitor survey show that 70% of dentists don’t see themselves working in the NHS within five years. Research by the BDA also found similar results, with 58% of NHS dentists reporting that they plan on turning away from NHS dentistry in the next five years.
That being the case, some may be looking with hope towards the younger generation of professionals just embarking on their careers.
However, that may be misplaced optimism, which is not to be taken as a slight on their character or aptitude for the profession. In fact, I have been impressed by the passion and enthusiasm of young dentists I have spoken with recently.
But much like their longer-serving colleagues, they have also indicated that they don’t see their future lying within the NHS. The BDA’s results also showed that 53% of young NHS dentists (aged under 35) intend on leaving the NHS, and almost 10% say they will leave the profession entirely, in the same period.
The NHS Digital statistics also revealed that 39% of dentists who left the NHS in 2015/16 were under 35, and this was the biggest percentage of all the age groups.
Whilst the research didn’t reveal their reasons, given all of the above, is it little wonder that they are planning to pursue an alternative career path?
You can read more blogs and listen to interviews with leading dental professionals on the current state and future of dentistry here.
