‘I spent uni savings on getting my teeth fixed’ – how NHS dentist shortage is costing a fortune

• Key Takeaways for Clinical Practice
• NHS dentistry crisis driving patient migration to private care: Dentist shortages are forcing patients to self-fund treatment, creating financial hardship and widening health inequalities in oral health access.
• Financial barriers affecting treatment-seeking behaviour: Patients are delaying or avoiding necessary dental care due to unaffordable private costs, with potential downstream consequences for systemic health and emergency presentations.
• Workforce sustainability concern: The NHS dentistry workforce shortage reflects broader recruitment and retention challenges that require systemic solutions to prevent further patient care fragmentation and increased out-of-pocket spending.

People tell BBC Your Voice the rising cost of private dentistry is putting them in a difficult position.

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