Distress with Dentistry in Somerset – we can’t fix this crisis alone say NHS Somerset
Dentistry in Somerset is currently facing a crisis, as reported by NHS Somerset, a part of the Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB), which is responsible for planning and delivering local health services.
In a stark warning delivered to Somerset Council’s Adults and Health (Feb 27th, 2025) Committee, NHS Somerset said, “the gap between patient needs and the availability of [dental] services in Somerset is likely to persist.”
The purpose of the ICB is to enhance health and wellbeing, reduce health inequalities, and ensure quality care, but they are struggling to fulfil this mission with dentistry.
NHS Somerset highlighted that a recent survey revealed, “97% of patients without a relationship with an NHS Dental Practice are unable to access NHS dental services, leaving vulnerable groups without access to essential oral health services.”
This ongoing crisis in dentistry in Somerset is exacerbating health inequalities, particularly impacting vulnerable populations such as rural residents, older adults, and low-income individuals and families.
Pregnant women are also finding it challenging to access NHS dentistry, despite government guidelines that mandate free dental care for them due to potential pregnancy-related dental health issues.
Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are at risk, as dental decay is a leading cause of hospital admissions among UK children, impacting their overall health and development.
The report links the dental woes in Somerset to a broader national dentistry crisis. Funding challenges remain significant, as the widely criticised dental contract model compensates dentists based on Units of Dental Activity (UDAs) rather than the complexity of cases. This system incentivises many dentists to either reduce their NHS services or shift to private practice, that many Somerset residents can’t afford.
It was reported that workforce shortages due to Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic have further hindered capacity, making it difficult to recruit and retain dental professionals.
The dissatisfaction among NHS dentists related to workloads, administrative demands, and remuneration has led to early retirements and fewer new dentists entering the NHS. New dentist recruits and trainees are not moving to Somerset in significant numbers, for reasons not stated in the report.
NHS Somerset urged Somerset Council to advocate for essential reforms in the dental contract, with plans to bring these issues to the attention of government officials and the wider Council.
Do you have a distressing dental story? I will share your stories with Somerset NHS and ICB. Get in touch.
Links
NHS somerset integrated care board to somerset council scrutiny committee – adults and health
somerset dental recovery workplan – update
https://democracy.somerset.gov.uk/documents/s47614/NHS%20Somerset%20Dental%20Recovery%20Workplan%20-%20Update.pdf
*Experiences of NHS healthcare services in England: December 2024https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthcaresystem/bulletins/experiencesofnhshealthcareservicesinengland/december2024