Released today, the General Dental Council (GDC) has unveiled its second annual set of dentists’ working patterns data.
From the type of dental provision to hours worked, the survey covered a range of insights looking into the working patterns of UK dentists.
According to the data, 98.7% of the almost 30,000 surveyed are currently working in the dental sector. Less than 1% of these (0.8%) are currently not practising but actively seeking work, while 0.1% are not practising and working in another sector.
Other findings include:
More than two in five (44%) dentists are working 30 hours per week or less
The majority (86%) work predominantly or fully in clinical roles
While 67% work in general dental practice, the remainder work across dental hospitals (6%), community dental services (5%), and other hospital settings (4%)
61% are regularly working in one location, whilst 39% are regularly working in more than one location
42% of dentists spend at least 75% of their time delivering NHS care, with 15% working exclusively in NHS settings
Conversely, 20% provide only private care, with a further 14% working predominantly (over 75% of their time) in private practice.
The number surveyed represents two thirds (66%) of the dentist register.
Dental shortage
Neil Carmichael, executive chair of the 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% of the dentists who responded said that they spend at least 75% 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.’
NHS and private balance
Theresa Thorp, executive director of regulation at the GDC, said: ‘Two thirds of registered dentists have now contributed to this comprehensive survey, providing us with an increasingly robust picture of dental workforce patterns.
‘The data highlights important trends in working hours, practice settings, and the balance between NHS and private provision. We’re confident that these insights will support strategic planning by health services, governments and dental providers, and ultimately, help patients receive the care they need.
‘We’re committed to continuing this work and encourage all dental professionals to regularly update their information, particularly when there are changes to their working pattern circumstances, helping us build an even more complete picture of the profession.’
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