Unsuitable NHS Dental Contract
The existing NHS dental contract is no longer fit for purpose, requiring fundamental reform.
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#11 - Uncertainty surrounds timeframe for fundamental NHS dental contract reforms, hindering access improvements
DHSC told us that it believed that those reforms “made a useful difference” and were a “step in the right direction”.21 We note, however, that the NAO report found that it saw no evidence of a full evaluation of these reforms.22 NHSE said that it recognised since the 2022 reforms that further reform is “absolutely fundamental”.23 The new...
Matched on
terms: contract, dental, nhs
Committee recommendation
100match
#7 - NHS England committed to fundamentally reforming the existing dental contract.
In our evidence session we asked NHSE if it would be better to rip up the NHS dental contract and start again, following a consultation with dentists to establish what their requirements are from a new system. NHSE’s response was “that is exactly what we are going to do”,10 and it also accepted that the current contract is...
Matched on
terms: contract, dental, nhs
Committee recommendation
100match
#5 - Publish analysis of actual NHS dental care costs, reflecting treatment complexity and community deprivation impacts.
DHSC and NHSE have not undertaken the analysis needed to understand the actual cost of delivering NHS dental care, without which any efforts at reform will fail to address fundamental issues around the affordability of NHS work. The discrepancy between what a dentist can earn delivering NHS work and private work is a fundamental issue for improving access....
Matched on
terms: contract, dental, nhs
Committee recommendation
99match
#10 - Previous NHS dental contract reform efforts largely unsuccessful despite recent changes.
DHSC told us that issues with NHS dentistry pre–date the 2006 contract, and that with any change since the 1990s, “things have got worse”.18 DHSC began attempts at contract reform in 2010, testing changes through a prototype programme which combined payment by activity with a fixed amount paid per registered patient. Further prototype contracts ran between 2016 and...
Matched on
terms: contract, dental, nhs
Committee recommendation
99match
#8 - Concerns raised over NHS dental contract's UDA rates, incentives, and uncompetitive funding.
In the written evidence submitted to our inquiry, concerns included that: • UDA rates are linked to the figures used in 2006 which no longer reflect current need.13 Rates vary from practice to practice so dentists in the same location may be paid different amounts for the same work; 14 • the contract is rooted in ineffective incentives...
Matched on
terms: contract, dental, nhs
Committee recommendation
90match
#27 - Significant pay gap between NHS and private dentistry causes under-provision of care
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...
Matched on
terms: contract, dental, nhs
Committee recommendation
90match
#1 - Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework is not fit for purpose, requiring urgent reform.
There is clearly something wrong if the funding that pharmacies receive from the NHS does not cover medicine costs, given their core function of dispensing medicines. The Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework is evidently not fit for purpose. It is overly complex and has contributed to the financial pressures that pharmacies are facing. Given the scale and timetable of...
Matched on
terms: contract, nhs
Committee recommendation
83match
#30 - Decline in NHS dental provision results from dentists choosing private work
NHSE, acknowledging these numbers, said that there has to be an acceptance that we need to train more dentists.89 DHSC, whilst not disagreeing with that assessment, told us that this is not the whole story 81 Q 27 82 Q 62 83 FND0005, page 1; FN0007, page 2 84 C&AG’s Report, Figure 1 85 FND0005, page 2 86...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
Committee recommendation
78match
#9 - Significant funds recovered from dental contracts due to under-delivered care.
The NAO report reflects this last point, finding that in 2022–23 £479 million was recovered from dental contracts where practices had not delivered the full amount of care that they had been contracted for.17
Matched on
terms: contract, dental
Committee recommendation
76match
#9 - Thirty-Fifth Report - Introducing Integrated Care Systems
The threadbare provision of NHS funded dental care is a further example of a failure to provide preventative or protective routine care leading to more acute health problems.24 NHS England, rather than ICSs, remains responsible for most of NHS dentistry provision in England.25 In some parts of the country it is impossible to register with a dentist offering...
Matched on
terms: contract, dental, nhs
Committee recommendation
74match
#2 - Publish a detailed evaluation of the dental recovery plan's spending, initiatives, and impact on NHS dentistry...
The dental recovery plan was never going to deliver its headline ambition that everyone who needs to see an NHS dentist would be able to, and has failed even to deliver the hoped for 1.5 million additional courses of treatment in 2024–25. The plan’s initial promise to expand access in 2024–25 so that everyone who needed to see...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
74match
201100765 - A Dental Practice, Lothian NHS Board
Ms C complained that her dentist failed to provide appropriate treatment over a two year period. She had raised repeated concerns about pain and sensitivity in her teeth and asked the dentist to take x-rays. The dentist said that this was not required as x-rays had been taken two years previously. She put Ms C's sensitivity down to...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
PHSO casework decision
69match
P-003333 - A dental practice in the Blackburn area
Mrs F complains that instead of trying to resolve her denture problems, her dentist recommended she pay for the treatment again privately instead of on the NHS.
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
69match
201305797 - A Dental Practice in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area
Miss C complained that her dental practice had decided to remove her from their patient list without providing her with treatment for a three month period in accordance with national guidance. She also told us that she made a complaint to the practice in 2012 and that she had not been told the outcome. We found that, although...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
Committee recommendation
69match
#28 - UDA rates inadequately reflect treatment complexity and costs, requiring further modelling
There is also a clear sense that UDA rates do not sufficiently distinguish between the different levels of complexity and cost attached to various treatments. This is despite the government decision in 2022 to split up band 2 treatments into three separate bands each attracting a different number of UDAs. This was in acknowledgement of the fact that...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
Committee recommendation
65match
#18 - Dental recovery plan ambition misaligned with targets, failing to ensure universal access
The initial announcement of the dental recovery plan claimed that its aim was to “significantly expand access so that everyone who needs to see a dentist will be able to”.51 However, that ambition was never aligned to the actual targets of the plan, as an additional 1.5 million courses of treatment would have left overall delivery in 2024–25...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
PHSO casework decision
65match
P-002470 - Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Mrs Y complains the Trust refused funding for a dental implant in May 2023, when it previously funded dental repairs after an accident.
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
PHSO casework decision
65match
P-003540 - A dental practice in the Leeds area
Miss A complains the Practice would not complete her course of NHS orthodontist treatment by permanently filling a gap between her teeth. She also complains about the way the Practice communicated with her about its decision.
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
65match
201701087 - A Dentist in the Highland NHS Board area
Mr C complained to us that staff at the dental practice unreasonably informed him that he was exempt from NHS charges for dental treatment. Mr C said that, when he started a course of dental treatment at the practice, he told the staff that he was in receipt of carer's allowance and they completed a form and said...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
Committee recommendation
64match
#6 - Thirty-Fifth Report - Introducing Integrated Care Systems
NHS funded dental care is in crisis in some parts of the country, and NHS England’s failure to ensure people can access routine dental care is leading to more acute dental health problems. NHS England, rather than ICSs, remains responsible for most NHS dentistry but in some parts of the country it is impossible to find a dentist...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
PHSO casework decision
64match
P-002371 - A dental practice in the Bexley area
Mrs O complains the Practice refused to give her a new extended bridge between June and October 2022. She says it said the only option to fix her pain was tooth extraction and a denture. She also complains the dentures fitted in October 2022 kept falling out and the Practice would not fit new ones for free under...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
PSOW-202406395 - A Dental Practice in the area of Swansea Bay University Health Board
Mr C complained on behalf of his wife, Mrs C, about the care and treatment she received from a dental practice in the area of the Health Board. Mr C complained that dental treatment for Mrs C’s fractured front tooth and crown was urgent and should not have been dealt with on a private care basis. Specifically, the...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
201100178 - A Dental Practice, Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board
Ms C made several complaints about her dental practice. She complained that her dentist failed to deliver the appropriate treatment and service when she asked him to check on her bridge. She also complained that either the dentist or the dental practice failed to ensure that the dental hospital received her x-rays within a reasonable time, and that...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
201100882 - A Dental Practice in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area
Mrs C complained about treatment she received from a dental practice. She had had a replacement bridge fitted which caused her difficulties. The practice and Mrs C had different views about what had happened. Mrs C said her dentist had advised her to have the bridge replaced, but the practice said that Mrs C had expressed dissatisfaction with...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
201400163 - A Dentist in the Lanarkshire NHS Board area
Ms C complained about the care and treatment provided by her former dental practice in relation to the fitting of a bridge (a device to replace a missing tooth or teeth). Ms C complained that the bridge had not been fitted properly and was loose from the start; that it did not match the colour of her other...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
Committee recommendation
62match
#2 - Overhaul the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework to address funding gaps and reduce complexity.
We recommend that the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) is completely overhauled, in close consultation with the community pharmacy sector. Any new framework must: a) close the gap in funding that community pharmacy has experienced over the course of the current CPCF; b) focus on reducing complexity and ensure pharmacy owners can clearly understand and predict their cash...
Matched on
terms: contract
PHSO casework decision
61match
P-002879 - A dental practice in the Leicestershire area
Mrs U complains the Practice made her dentures that did not fit properly and were uncomfortable to wear.
Matched on
terms: dental
IMB recommendation
60match
Norwich (2021)
Since the contract was changed, dental services have not been equal to those in the community. Will HMPPS ensure that satisfactory provision of dental care is available at HMP/YOI Norwich?
Matched on
terms: contract, dental
PHSO casework decision
60match
P-001602 - University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
Miss A complains her father, Mr A, got sepsis and sadly passed away because he had poor dental treatment from the Trust in February 2019.
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
60match
PSOW-202202747 - A Dental Practice in the area of Swansea Bay University Health Board
We investigated complaints made by Mr A about his treatment by his Dental Practice. These consisted of whether the decision to remove a tooth was appropriate given the information known at the time, if Mr A should have been referred to a consultant earlier, and if the decision made not to treat Mr A owing to him being...
Matched on
terms: contract, dental
LGO / SPSO decision
60match
202411526 - A Dentist in the Lothian NHS Board area
C complained about the dental care and treatment that they received. C underwent root canal treatment (RCT) on their lower right tooth. C said that this was not performed appropriately and that they should have been referred earlier to an endodontist (a dentist with special training to treat problems affecting the inside of the tooth). C was also...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
60match
201102613 - A Dental Practice in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area
Mr C complained that his 14-year-old son (Master A) had six baby teeth extracted by his dentist. At the time the family were told that this was necessary to allow room for his adult teeth to come through. Master A also had an adult molar removed, again to allow space for the rest of his adult teeth to...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
60match
201102551 - A Dental Practice in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area
Mrs C had root canal treatment from her dentist. She complained that the dentist did not tell her that there was a risk that, if the root canal treatment failed, Mrs C could lose the tooth and ultimately need a crown. Mrs C did lose her tooth and felt that the treatment was unnecessary and that the tooth...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
60match
201407829 - A Dental Practice in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area
Ms C was charged by her dental practice for a missed appointment. Ms C felt this was unreasonable in the circumstances and complained to the practice about this. She was dissatisfied with the practice's response and made further complaints. Following a subsequent visit to the practice she and her daughter were removed from the practice's treatment list. Ms...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
60match
201404670 - A Dentist in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area
Mr C attended his dentist for a routine check-up. During this check-up the dentist intended to scale and polish Mr C's teeth (a procedure where tartar build-up is removed from the gumline). Mr C refused, as a previous treatment had caused sensitivity to his teeth. The dentist advised Mr C that if he was unable to perform the...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
60match
201403023 - A Dentist in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area
Ms C was a new patient at a dental practice where she presented with a chipped tooth. She saw a dentist who examined her mouth and did an x-ray which revealed some decay. She attended the dentist six times within two months and during this time, root canal treatment was commenced, she had one extraction and four fillings....
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
60match
201401612 - A Dentist in the Grampian NHS Board area
Mr C complained about some dental work he had done. He was unhappy because he did not think he had been given sufficient information about the procedure. He had a replacement bridge fitted (a device to replace a missing tooth), and was unhappy with the colour and size of the crown. Mr C was also concerned that, when...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
60match
201704207 - A Dentist in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area
Mr and Mrs C complained on behalf of their daughter (Ms A) about the orthodontic treatment (a speciality field of dentistry that deals with malpositioned teeth and the jaws) she received. Ms A underwent orthodontic treatment to treat mild crowding of her teeth (when there is not enough space for all teeth to fit normally within the jaws)....
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
PFD report
57match
Katherine Hogan
Persistent staff shortages led to patients being kept overnight in unsuitable clinical areas, with the Trust failing to address reported staffing issues or implement requested increases.
Matched on
terms: unsuitable
PFD report
57match
Barry Lall
The General Dental Council's practice of publishing extensive, detailed allegations on its website for unconcluded cases can cause significant mental health distress to practitioners who are contesting them.
Matched on
terms: dental
PFD report
57match
Ellame Ford-Dunn Prevention of future deaths report
Insufficient Tier 4 Paediatric Mental Health beds lead to long waits, resulting in children with mental health needs being inappropriately held on acute paediatric wards unsuitable for their care.
Matched on
terms: unsuitable
PHSO casework decision
57match
P-003727 - A dental practice in the Burnley area
Miss L complains about the treatment she had from the Practice between June 2024 and January 2025. She says the onlay treatment was not necessary, was not explained to her and the procedure was not done properly.
Matched on
terms: dental
PHSO casework decision
56match
P-002755 - A dental practice in the City of Westminster area
Mrs O complains the Practice gave her new dentures between July and September 2023, despite recommending she see a private specialist instead. She complains the dentures did not fit and were not fit for purpose.
Matched on
terms: dental
LGO / SPSO decision
56match
201201920 - A Dentist in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area
Mrs C, an advocacy worker, complained on behalf of Ms A about the care and treatment she received at the dental practice when her upper right second molar was extracted. After the extraction, Ms A experienced extreme pain. Her face started to swell and she felt physically sick. She contacted NHS 24 and attended the dental hospital for...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
56match
201401744 - A Dentist in the Tayside NHS Board area
Ms C said that after having two teeth filled, she began to experience progressively worsening pain. She said that this prevented her sleeping and caused her much distress. However, she said that her dental practice refused to provide her with further treatment on the basis that they considered the cause of her pain to be as a consequence...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
56match
201708954 - A Dentist in the Grampian NHS Board area
Mrs C complained about the care and treatment she received from her dentist. When Mrs C developed toothache, she was advised by a different dentist that her tooth needed to be extracted. Mrs C questioned why her tooth was left to decay to such an extent without any prior treatment. She complained that the first dentist failed to...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
55match
201301837 - A Dentist in the Fife NHS Board area
Mr C complained that he had been inappropriately treated by his dentist. He was unhappy with the insertion of two crowns on teeth in his upper jaw and the removal of a crown from a tooth from his lower jaw. Mr C said that the upper crowns had not been fitted properly, and had left unsightly gaps between...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
55match
201401599 - A Dentist in the Highland NHS Board area
Mr C complained to us about the care and treatment he had received from a dentist. He had attended the dentist for emergency treatment, who had extracted a badly broken tooth. Mr C was given an antibiotic and advised to return to the surgery for a more detailed examination to be carried out to assess what other dental...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
55match
201508583 - A Dentist in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board
Ms C, who works for a voluntary agency, complained on behalf of Mr A that the care and treatment he received was inadequate and that his subsequent complaint had been poorly handled. Mr A had suffered repeated problems with dental bridgework failing. Ms C said he had been seen by a number of different dentists, causing problems with...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs
LGO / SPSO decision
55match
201507822 - A Dentist in the Lothian NHS Board area
Miss C attended her dentist and reported mild discomfort in an upper tooth. Following an examination including x-rays, Miss C was advised that she required either extraction or root canal treatment of the tooth. Miss C chose to proceed with the root canal treatment which was carried out a few weeks later. Afterwards, Miss C experienced pain and...
Matched on
terms: dental, nhs