Abstract
Background: Since the global pandemic dental NHS services across England have been deeply affected. England and London have shown their own trends in dental services across all boroughs in response to the pandemic.
Objectives: To examine recent trends in NHS activity across England and consider the implications for action.
Methods: We obtained data publicly and through freedom of information from NHS England, Care Quality Commission and NHS Business Services Authority. We have shown NHS activity for 2018/19 to 22/23. We have looked at the site visits (from CQC list of dental sites visited) and contractor list (NHS contract holders through BSA) for September 2023 and September 2018. We have presented these data graphically.
Results: NHS dental activity saw a sharp decline in 2020 and has seen a recovery since that period. It is not possible to say if further recovery will occur. As of the end of June 2023 there are 7 million less courses of treatment nationally than in June 2018 for adults and 4.4 million less people seen (based on total adult population in England of 44 million). Though London has seen the largest increase to pre-pandemic levels North Central London has shown a significant decline in adult NHS activity. With the data available on private practices, it is difficult to tell how many NHS practices are turning to private practice and what level of activity these sites have.
Conclusion: Across England NHS dental activity is down for children and adults in terms of number of total populations seen and courses of treatment. Some areas have shown persistent inequalities with other areas showing a new change in dental activity. More data will need to be collected and analysed to consider implications for England’s oral health.
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