The British Dental Association has lamented the latest increase in NHS patient charges, stressing these ‘stealth cuts’ will not put a penny into the cash-strapped service.
Charges in England will rise by an average of 2.3% from 1 April 2025. This will mean the cost of a band 1 treatment like a check-up will increase from £26.80 to £27.40, a band 2 like a filling will increase from £73.50 to £75.30, and a band 3 like dentures will increase from £319.10 to £326.70.
While below the level of inflation, the BDA has demanded assurances the new Government will not ape its predecessor’s playbook and treat this increase in charges simply as a substitute for state investment. NHS dentistry’s budget has been effectively static at around £3bn for fifteen years, with patient charges forming an ever-greater share of the total pot until Covid. These cuts are unique – dentistry is the only part of the NHS operating on less direct Government spend than it was in 2010.
The professional body has quickly mobilised with campaign partners 38 Degrees, calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, not merely to abandon the hike, but to ensure the coming Spending Review puts in place sustainable funding for the service that does not target hard-pressed patients. The petition is live here.
Despite having pledged new investment for its manifesto pledge of 700,000 new appointments, the new Government has changed tack, simply recycling existing underspends, which are themselves the net result of a generation of underfunding.
Polling conducted by YouGov for the BDA in 2023 found nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents in England delayed or went without NHS dental treatment for reasons of cost. 45% said the price shaped the choice of treatment they opt for. Entitlements to free care are limited, with many Universal Credit recipients not being eligible.
In January Wes Streeting told parliament “NHS dentistry is at death’s door.” The BDA cannot see how this move stands any chance of reviving the patient.
Shiv Pabary, Chair of the British Dental Association’s General Dental Practice Committee, said: “This hike is reheated austerity. It won’t put a penny into a struggling service. Our patients are paying more, just so Ministers can pay less. Rachel Reeves will need to justify her stealth cuts to millions of patients.”
Matthew McGregor, Chief Executive at 38 Degrees, said: “Families across the country will be bracing themselves today at the news that they’ll soon be hit by a health bill hike during this ongoing cost of living crisis – and that’s if they’re lucky enough to even have access to an NHS dentist in the first place. It’s the wrong move at the wrong time – especially as the extra price tag won’t result in the improvements in dental care so many of us are desperate for.
“The 38 Degrees community has been fighting tooth and nail for proper NHS dental care and, following our 250,000 strong petition hand-in, it was heartening to see ministers announce 700,000 new dental spots. That’s positive progress but let’s be clear: much more is needed to save NHS dentistry. The Government needs to scrap these additional costs and come up with a real plan to ensure everyone can access – and afford – NHS dental care.”
