We now have an investigation. And we will work to ensure the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) understand the complex realities of delivering private dentistry.
Official data indicates over 6 million adults in England simply prefer private dentistry to NHS care. Thousands of our members meet this patient need, providing treatment options in mixed NHS-private practices, as well as offering cosmetic dental procedures that are not available on the NHS.
The CMA need to understand the complexities of the market. The majority of spending within NHS practices is on private work. With typical NHS contract holders now delivering items of NHS care at a loss, they are reliant on a cross subsidy of over £400 million a year from private activity to break even. The Government has yet to show any sign it is willing to plug the funding gap. That gap is inevitably putting some pressure on private pricing.
As the voice of dentistry, we will spell out the facts to the CMA. But we remain clear on the Government’s motives. They falsely claim this process would put money back into voters’ pockets. While high quality and cost-effective private care remains a preferred option for millions, Government has a responsibility to properly fund NHS care to prevent people being forced into private treatment.
“The Government is attempting to use this inquiry to pretend it is improving access and putting money back into voters’ pockets without spending a penny,” says BDA Chair Eddie Crouch.
“We intend to spell out the facts. We will show the CMA how private dentistry works.
“These are services delivering high-quality, cost-effective care that millions of families really value.”
