Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 27
27
Deferred
Significant pay gap between NHS and private dentistry causes under-provision of care
Conclusion
DHSC told us that even with these uplifts to UDA rates, there is still a large gap between what dentists are earning through NHS work compared with the larger amounts they can make in the private sector.80 It described this as the “fundamental problem” facing NHS dentistry and commented that it was perfectly reasonable for dentists to choose to go down private routes 75 C&AG’s Report, Figure 1 76 FND0007, see page 3 77 Q 26 78 C&AG’s Report, Figure 11 and para 2.10 79 Q 26 80 Q 13 17 given the greater financial incentives that exist.81 It said that whilst there is plenty that can be done in terms of the detail of the dental contract, the biggest barrier remains the gap in pay that is available for a NHS dentist versus one operating privately.82 This tallies with much of the written evidence that we received, with stakeholders from across the dental profession noting the disparity between pay in the NHS compared with the private sector, and arguing that such disparities are leading to the under provision of NHS dental care.83
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that incentivising NHS dentists and improving retention is key to contract reform, noting this work is underway. It will consider improvements to the current system and publish a 10 Year Health Plan and a refreshed long-term workforce plan by Summer 2025, which will address making NHS dentistry an attractive workplace.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
6.5 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 6.6 Incentivising dentists to carry out more NHS work and improving the retention of NHS dentists is a key part of the government’s ambition to reform the dental contract. This work is underway but will take time. 6.7 Whilst the new dental contract is developed, the government will consider making improvements to the current system to increase access and incentivise the workforce to deliver more NHS care. These proposals could include changes which encourage greater use of the wider dental team to improve the quality of their care. The department will work with the sector to develop these changes, subject to ministerial agreement. 6.8 The government intends to incentivise NHS dentistry to make it an attractive workplace. To reform the NHS and make it fit for the future, the government has launched a 10 Year Health Plan. The government is listening to and co-designing the plan with the public and health staff. A central part of the 10 Year Health Plan will be the workforce and ensuring that the NHS has the staff it needs to care for patients. This will be published in Summer 2025. 6.9 The government will publish a refreshed long term workforce plan to deliver a transformed health service over the next decade and treat patients on time again. The government will ensure the NHS has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it. This includes consideration of all dental professionals within the dental team. The department intends to write to the Committee shortly with an update on the long-term workforce plan.