Tax on teeth

What we are doing

NHS charges are designed to discourage patients from seeking care, but have now become a substitute for needed state investment. The Government hiked charges in England by 4% in April 2024. The revenue raised by this rise does not go to dentists. It will do nothing to help struggling practices or the millions of patients unable to secure an appointment. Ministers are asking patients to pay more, so they can pay less.

Following the latest hike, we are encouraging supporters to sign our petition to the Prime Minister. NHS dentistry requires real reform and fair funding.

Read more about our contract reform policy position.

What you can do

One in four patients are now delaying NHS care for reasons of cost. NHS dentistry needs fundamental reform, underpinned by sustainable investment. This approach fails both patients and the dental profession.

To help patients to understand the issues, download our poster and display it in your practice.

With up to half a million recipients of Tax Credit Certificates set to lose their access to free NHS dental care from April 6 we have interrogated official data, and found millions of patients have stopped accessing NHS dentistry since the transition to Universal Credit (UC), since transition began under the last government.

Wales: Question now is whether reforms can end crisis

The Welsh Government has now launched its consultation on reform of NHS dentistry, and we will be reaching out to dentists to get the clearest picture from our members.

“We’re not all in this together”: Treasury cuts leave £1.5bn hole in budget

Dental charges are set to rise again this April, so business as usual with more stealth cuts.

Honesty and transparency remain in short supply

We remain clear that honesty and transparency remain the bare minimum requirement from the Welsh Government, after a statement in the Senedd in which both were in short supply.

Dental public health – vital jobs left on the line

With NHSE set to be abolished, we're leading the defence of a vital dental public function and calling for funds to be put to work on the frontline

Updates to the Scottish Dental Access Initiative and Recruitment and Retention Allowance

The latest remuneration changes in Scotland.

Tax on teeth

What we are doing

What you can do

Further reading

LDC Conference 2025: Time to give reform some welly

A paper ‘pay rise’ that won’t cover mounting cost of care

Take part in the NHS cost-of-service exercise

Dental health crisis hitting women hardest

Why reform needs to keep pace with the costs of care

Dental public health plays a unique and vital role

Welfare reform has pushed millions away from NHS dentistry

Wales: Question now is whether reforms can end crisis

“We’re not all in this together”: Treasury cuts leave £1.5bn hole in budget

Honesty and transparency remain in short supply

Dental public health – vital jobs left on the line

Updates to the Scottish Dental Access Initiative and Recruitment and Retention Allowance