Many people in England face long waits, high costs, and limited NHS dental appointments. Healthwatch warns urgent reforms are needed for affordable, reliable dental services
Challenges in accessing NHS dental care
Recent Healthwatch research exposes the harrowing state of NHS dentistry. In December 2025, Healthwatch revealed a revolving door of NHS dental care, as patient feedback shows a lack of routine follow-up and patients being cycled between their GP, A&E, and urgent care dentists without receiving definitive treatment.
Furthermore, 68% of people wrongly believe they have the right to permanently register as an NHS patient with a dental practice, just as they can sign up for life with an NHS GP.
One Healthwatch poll found that 21% of people avoided going to the dentist because of the cost, and 69% of people who accessed private dental care did not have dental insurance.
What does Healthwatch recommend?
Healthwatch has outlined several recommendations to reform NHS dentistry:
- Introduce permanent NHS dentist registration, improve appointment transparency, and support low-income patients.
- Launch campaigns to inform those most in need about extra NHS appointments under the Dental Rescue Plan.
- Report the progress of extra urgent NHS dental appointments across Integrated Care Board areas.
- Updates on how councils are implementing supervised toothbrushing for three to five-year-olds living in the 20% top areas of deprivation.
- Promote NHS dental charge exemptions and the Low Income Scheme to reduce cost barriers.
- Require practices to update NHS dental availability online in full compliance with contracts.
- Increase transparency on NHS dental budgets held by ICBs, including tracking any underspends.
Ensure ICBs involve local Healthwatch and communities in shaping NHS dental services.
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