NHS dental charges for patients in England will increase by around 2.3% from 1 April 2025, sparking criticism from the profession.
This will mean the cost of a band 1 treatment, such as 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, such as dentures, will increase from £319.10 to £326.70.
While below the rate of inflation, the British Dental Association (BDA) has called for the government to show how the hike is not an alternative to proper investment in the service.
Shiv Pabary, chair of the BDA’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.’
Last month, it was announced the government and NHS will roll out 700,000 extra urgent appointments. The move marked a commitment to a pledge made in the Labour manifesto last summer.
The extra appointments will be available from April and have been targeted at ‘dental deserts’ – areas where patients particularly struggle to access NHS dentists.
Calls to scrap NHS dental charge hike
The BDA has launched a petition with charity partner 38 Degrees calling for the government to abandon the charge increase and come up with an alternative funding plan for NHS dentistry.
Matthew McGregor, chief executive at campaign group 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.’
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