Recommendation 33

Alongside ensuring that there are sufficient numbers of dentists and that they are equitably spread across the country, NHSE also told us that there is a cultural shift for the public in terms of their relationship with a dental practice, rather than with a set individual providing care. NHSE said that part of its package of changes in 2022 was aimed at tackling the “misapprehension that other members of dental teams cannot deliver a course of treatment”. It claimed that these changes have led to more treatments being delivered by dental therapists though acknowledged that it is still at a relatively low level.97 NHSE also felt that increasing the skills 90 Q 34 91 C&AG’s Report, para 1.19 92 Q 48 93 C&AG’s Report, para 1.15 94 Qq 62–63 95 NHS England, NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, published June 2023 96 DHSC, Proposal for a ‘tie–in’ to NHS dentistry for graduate dentists, published May 2024 97 Qq 88, 89 19 mix across the dental profession had been welcomed in all quarters of the profession though acknowledged that there was more to do to ensure that all parts of the profession feel a part of the NHS.98 98 Qq 89–90 20