Fury as UK dentists return £900m for ignoring NHS patients – prioritis | UK | News
Dentists in England have been forced to refund more than £900 million to the Government over the last two years for failing to meet NHS quotas. Britons have said they are “turning their backs on the NHS” after data emerged showing dentists are now giving priority to private patients where they can earn much more lucrative sums.
Health watchdogs said the reimbursements showed the reality of the dentistry system in England, where patients were unable to receive affordable care. Rebecca Curtayne, of Healthwatch England, said: “These figures reflect what people across the country are telling us – many are unable to make NHS dental appointments and others think dentists have stopped providing NHS care altogether and now only offer private treatment.”
Brits shared their frustrations with the system on social media today after the government announced that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) would launch an investigation into private dentistry in the UK. The CMA said wages would increase by up to 22% between 2022 and 2024.
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Charles Tansley added: “Many dentists turned their backs on the NHS a long time ago.”
Dentists must agree how much NHS work they will undertake throughout the year with the Government, which pays them monthly for their services.
If they under-deliver, classed as below 96% of the contract agreement, the NHS gets the money back the following year.
More than £450 million was refunded in 2024-25, with around £480 million refunded the previous year. BBC analysis From NHS accounts. More than 40% of dentists had to give money back in both years.
Dentists can earn much more lucrative rewards from private treatments. For example, NHS fillings cost £75.30 and the majority are supposed to be grey, while specialist white composite fillings cost in excess of £200.
But the British Dental Association said dentists were left with no choice but to provide private care because they were losing money due to the 20-year NHS contract. It was stated that dentists depend on cross-subsidization of over £400 million a year from private studies to break even.
BDA Chairman Eddie Crouch said: “The government is trying to use this investigation to make it look like they are improving access and putting money back into voters’ pockets without spending a penny.”
The government said it was increasing the amount dentists can earn under NHS contracts and providing starting bonuses to people taking jobs in areas where need is highest.
An NHS England spokesman said the refunded money was being reinvested into dentistry and was working closely with the Government to deliver further reform.
