…as GDC survey reveals less than 1 percent are actively seeking work in the sector
Survey data released from the General Dental Council (GDC) on dentists’ working patterns, reports that just 0.8 percent (241) of the 30,066 who completed the questionnaire said they were actively seeking work as a dentist. The Association of Dental Groups (ADG) cautions that this does not bode well when it comes to filling the current 3K+ vacancies for dentists.
Data published by NHS England for the period to March 2024, show there are 2,749 full-time equivalent (FTE basis) NHS dentist vacancies. These are roles that have been open for an average of 180 days per post. Furthermore, with 411 (FTE basis) vacancies in private practices still open, it is clear that irrespective of the need for NHS contract reform, there is a system-wide shortage of dentists in the UK across the profession’s ‘mixed-economy’.
Despite this gap however, the GDC working patterns survey, which had an impressive 66 percent response rate from dentists who were sent the questionnaire, shows there is a willingness among dentists to take on NHS care with the data showing that the number of dentists undertaking 75 percent or more NHS dentistry care is at 42 percent.
Neil Carmichael, Executive Chair, Association of Dental Groups, said: “The ADG encouraged the GDC to conduct this survey which will help all dentistry stakeholders get an up-to-date picture of the status. The crux remains that our priority still needs to be recruitment. We have a shortage of over 2,700 vacant dentist roles within the NHS – and yet today’s news from the GDC shows that from those who completed the survey there may only be approximately 241 dentists who were actively looking for work. Our ADG members who run dental practices up and down the country from the large to the small are leaning-in to support the ‘mixed economy’ – but we do need to recruit, recruit, recruit!
“However, it is heartening to hear that 42 percent of the dentists who responded said that they spend at least 75 percent of their time delivering NHS care. So, there is a willingness to undertake NHS treatments, despite the fact that we know that the NHS dental contract does need revision. But without the sheer scale of the number of dentist vacancies filled, we cannot hope to speed-track reform.”
