16 December 2025

Today, the Labour Government set out major reforms to NHS dentistry aimed at making it easier for patients with urgent and complex needs to get treatment, following years of declining access and growing “dental deserts” across England.

The changes, due to come into force from April, will reform the NHS dental contract to prioritise urgent appointments and support longer-term treatment for serious conditions such as severe tooth decay and gum disease.

The overhaul will make urgent dental care a core requirement of NHS dental contracts, helping patients get treatment for pain, infection or dental trauma closer to home. New payment structures will also allow dentists to offer a single, comprehensive course of treatment for complex needs, rather than splitting care across multiple appointments — a change ministers say could save some patients up to £225.

Luke Myer MP has repeatedly raised concerns about access to NHS dentistry, particularly for families and older residents who are forced to travel long distances or live with untreated pain. He has previously warned that years of underfunding and a broken contract have pushed dentists away from NHS work, leaving communities without reliable local provision and driving people into avoidable hospital admissions.

While welcoming the focus on urgent care and prevention — including decisions recently on supervised toothbrushing for young children and measures to reduce tooth decay – Luke has stressed that reforms must be backed by sustained funding, workforce support and transparency on delivery if they are to rebuild confidence in NHS dentistry.

Commenting on the announcement, Luke Myer MP said:

“Too many people are struggling to see an NHS dentist when they’re in pain, and that simply isn’t acceptable. Prioritising urgent care and properly supporting complex treatment is the right direction of travel. But after years of decline, patients and dentists alike will rightly judge this on whether it genuinely improves access locally and gives NHS dentistry a sustainable future.”

Neil Carmichael, Executive Chair, Association of Dental Groups (ADG), said: 

“We broadly welcome the dental contract reforms and look forward to receiving more details as soon as possible in the new year so that practices have the time and ability to prepare to implement these changes. The ADG was part of the consultation process and it is good to see that steps are being taken to address the underpayment of more complex care, as well as support urgent care.

“A continuing priority for our members, however, is ensuring that the necessary steps are being taken to shore up the NHS England dental workforce, which we know is short by over 2,500 dentists. Embracing the whole dental workforce is crucial, so to see in the plan further encouragement of the team, including dental nurses to take on treatments, with fairer recompense, is a positive move.”