New appointments for urgent and complex care should be welcomed. But NHS dentistry requires more radical surgery

If changes to the NHS dental contract in England result in fewer people being left to suffer with complex problems because they cannot get treatment, that will be a big gain. Sore teeth and gums are debilitating, and dentistry ought not to be out of reach for anyone who needs it.

The decision to prioritise complex cases, as well as the lack of urgent care in some places, has been taken following a consultation that highlighted these two issues. From next April, the NHS payment system will alter so that patients can book a package rather than a series of individual appointments if they need to be seen more than once. Dentists will be incentivised to offer more slots to those needing urgent treatment for issues including severe pain and infections.

British Dental Association says government’s plan has ‘no new money behind it’ and further changes needed

Dentists in England will be paid more to ensure patients have easier access to emergency appointments under government plans, but experts have expressed doubt that it will improve care.

The changes, which will be introduced from April next year, will include dentists being incentivised to provide emergency and complex treatments through the introduction of a standardised payment package, ministers said.