“I now owe my dad £18,000," says Jackie. "I can only eat very soft food while the implants heal and you can’t put any pressure on them.” With dental tourism patients need to understand the risks. https://www.thesun.co.uk/health/38938553/mum-left-toothless-black-eye-infected-face-turkey-teeth/

Where next for dentistry in Scotland? Gillian Lennox on why the next Scottish Government must double down and future-proof services millions depend on. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/blog/where-next-for-dentistry-in-scotland/

"Whoever forms the next administration in Cardiff Bay will inherit a service on the very brink," warns Russell Gidney. "They will need to put together a rescue package if NHS dentistry in Wales is going to have a future." https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cde562xpzg3o

“Rachel Reeves chose to denigrate private dentists delivering high quality care to millions, rather than support colleagues providing NHS treatment," says @eddiecrouch.bsky.social https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/blog/no-evidence-of-price-gouging-but-plenty-for-government-cuts/

Thank you for our constructive discussion @sarahbool.bsky.social MP about how to ensure we keep dental practices in the NHS, and the impact of poor oral health on the outcomes of patients with diabetes and other conditions. @thebda.bsky.social

Absolute pleasure to meet @anneliesemidgleymp.bsky.social MP to discuss the reasons behind the dental access crisis, and what needs to be done to end it. Really looking forward to working with you to press for change your constituents desperately need. @thebda.bsky.social

Nice to catch up with Dr @peterprinsleymp.bsky.social MP on the positive developments in dentistry - and the long road ahead as we fight to make sure everyone who needs to access an NHS dentist can do so. @thebda.bsky.social

Nice to meet @jacobcolliermp.bsky.social today on why the number of people accessing NHS dentistry in Staffordshire dropped by 30% since before the pandemic, and what needs to be done to turn things around for those struggling to access the care they need across the country. @thebda.bsky.social

We were pleased to work with @thebda.bsky.social and @dentistryappg.bsky.social on a discussion about NHS dentistry this morning. Our Chief Executive @theasrstein.bsky.social joined the panel, bringing evidence from our research.

Pleasure to meet @lisasmartmp.bsky.social in Parliament today to talk about the cost to both people’s health and wellbeing and to the wider economy of the failure to invest in NHS dentistry. Thank you for speaking up for those who can’t access the care they desperately need. @thebda.bsky.social

Linda pulled out her own teeth. The direct result of political choices made in Westminster. Standing room only in parliament today, as we pose the question: can we afford universal access to NHS dentistry? The message for government from MPs assembled is we can’t afford not to.

Pleasure to meet today with @martinwrigley.bsky.social MP in Parliament.Thank you for speaking up for both dentists and patients, and setting out the huge societal cost of failing to properly fund NHS dentistry.

In the Department of Health's world do women have no mouths!? Oral health is invisible in their new women's health strategy. Millions of women continue to miss out. As patients, as parents, and as carers. Pregnant women remain unable to access free NHS dental care to which they're entitled.

We want to see barriers to care taken down. Read front line perspective on how intelligent refurbishment can make the world of difference to disabled people. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/blog/breaking-down-barriers-how-your-dental-practice-can-become-more-accessible-for-all-patients/

An important question from @adrianramsay.bsky.social MP, and we are yet to hear a clear answer. Recycling static budgets won't restore care to millions.

I asked what the Govt's ambition is for access to NHS dentistry. Sadly, the Minister did not answer my question. Of course, we need dental contract reform & training places. But if we are serious about NHS dentistry being accessible to everyone, the Govt's ambition has got to be much greater.

More from Bloomberg on the reality of the Government's call fo https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-04-14/the-uk-has-a-dentist-problem-but-it-s-not-about-private-care

Minister Stephen Kinnock tells parliament a public consultation on how to deliver fundamental reform to the dental contract will come this summer. We need action here, but reform without sustainable funding is doomed to fail. Practices can't be expected to deliver NHS care at a loss...

“The Govt is attempting to use this inquiry to pretend it is improving access and putting money back into voters’ pockets without spending a penny,” says @eddiecrouch.bsky.social More on the CMA investigation👇 telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/broken-nhs-system-behind-britain-dental-crisis/

🎂🎈🎉This week we mark 8 years since the birth of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy! Since its 2018 launch it's reduced sugar in our soft drinks by 46%. It's a tried-and-tested policy that has forced industry to do the right thing and reformulate. Government should double down...

This isn’t a matter of right and left. It’s about right and wrong. Government can either fund NHS dentistry properly, or millions will lose it forever.

It really doesn't matter if you vote Farage or Polanski. The overwhelming majority of voters of every major party want to see more support for NHS dentistry. The profession & the public are on same page. This Govt needs to catch up. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/blog/an-unhappy-birthday/

Happy Easter to all colleagues and their families celebrating today from your friends @thebda.bsky.social

“NHS dentistry has faced 20 years of failed contracts and savage cuts," says @eddiecrouch.bsky.social “Tweaks are no substitute for fundamental reform and proper funding." "They can't keep a sinking ship afloat.” https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/dentists-nhs-funding-protest-government-36954146

Today we took a unhappy birthday message to Downing Street, co-signed by over 1,300 dentists and dental students. For 20 years failed contracts and savage cuts have pushed NHS dentistry to the brink. Tweaks and unfunded gimmicks won't cut it. We need real reform and fair funding.

Tomorrow NHS dental charges in England will rise once again. Remember, this won't put an extra penny into a service on the brink. Patients will pay more to cover for stealth cuts. 👇 https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/news/england-charge-hike-a-kick-in-the-teeth-for-millions-on-modest-incomes/

It's quite simple: you can't have more dental students without the teachers. Without action here, the Government’s promise to expand dental undergraduate numbers simply cannot be kept. 👇 https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/news/promises-cannot-be-kept-without-investment-in-universities/

Moonpig have delivered, but will government? After 20 years of failed contracts and underfunding NHS dentistry needs real change. A last chance to sign our open letter to Starmer and Streeting https://bda.eaction.net/20yearsofhurt

🎈We've got the badges... ✍️But have we got your signature? 🎂April 1 marks two decades of a failed NHS dental contract. 🦷If you're a dentist in England, sign this unhappy birthday message to Starmer and Streeting. bda.eaction.net/20yearsofhurt

📺Older dentists will remember the claims from 2006… 📚Some were at primary school when this contract landed. 📑20 years on and we’re all still living with a system that’s unfit for purpose. ✍️Dentists - co-sign this open letter to the PM and Health Secretary: https://bda.eaction.net/20yearsofhurt

The approach UK Governments past and present have taken to covering costs has fuelled the crisis we face. It’s eaten into goodwill that’s in very short supply, and left thousands of NHS practices struggling to stay afloat.

The DDRB has recommended an above-inflation pay uplift for NHS GDPs. By failing to factor in the mounting costs of care, Ministers will turn that recommendation into a pay cut. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/news/england-government-set-to-undermine-above-inflation-pay-recommendation/

Patient dissatisfaction with NHS dentistry remains at record highs... Don't blame dentists. This stalled recovery is the direct result of choices made in Westminster. 👇 https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/news/england-flatlined-recovery-didn-t-happen-by-accident/

“The whole system is just absurd and unfit for purpose," says Shiv Pabary. “The govt wants us to take on more high-risk patients, but if we do that then we lose money and that's the problem." Reform needs to go hand in hand with sustainable funding. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr41lg6ddelo

Patient charge hikes don't put an extra penny of new investment into NHS dentistry. It's health policy, designed by His Majesty's Treasury. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/news/england-charge-hike-a-kick-in-the-teeth-for-millions-on-modest-incomes/

"Oral health is for the long term and I believe in getting some simple things right," wrote the late, great Prof Jimmy Steele in 2009. "If it can be done now we can build a national oral health service fit for the 21st century." Ministers need to catch up bda.eaction.net/20yearsofhurt

There's been no shortage of promises of change. But what we've ended up with is more of the same. As a failed contract turns 20, NHS dentistry needs real reform and fair funding. Sign our birthday message to Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting. https://bda.eaction.net/20yearsofhurt

In 2006 Government was confident its reforms would "bring benefits to both patients and dentists." Experience proved otherwise. 20 years on we need a decisive break from targets, with proper funding. If you're a dentist in England, sign this birthday message. https://bda.eaction.net/20yearsofhurt

Calling all dental professionals: if you have 10 minutes there's still time to share your experiences of private dental services. https://engage.cma.gov.uk/consultations/dental-professionals-call-for-views/

The COVID Inquiry has failed to assess the political choices that destroyed access to dental care. Decisions made in Westminster ensured dentistry ceased to exist for millions. Today, choices made at the Treasury and the Department of Health continue to stand in the way of a real recovery.

Our Scottish Manifesto is making an impact. Our polling shows: ❌65% of Scots say Ministers should be doing more ❌Dentistry is doorstep issue, on a par with crime. ❌1/5 of Scotland’s adult population can't access care. Send a message to your next MSP https://bda.eaction.net/yournextmsp

On 1 April the UDA turns 20... If you're a dentist in England, and you've had enough of failed contracts and underfunding, co-sign this birthday message to Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting. https://bda.eaction.net/20yearsofhurt

The PM claims he wants to "put money back into voters’ pockets." He needs to explain these choices to the pensioners who will pay an extra fiver towards their next set of dentures. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/news/england-charge-hike-a-kick-in-the-teeth-for-millions-on-modest-incomes/

Voters are looking to the next Scottish Government to go further and faster to guarantee the future of NHS dentistry. If you're a dentist in Scotland, please send a message to your next MSP. Future proof this service or lose it. 👇 https://bda.eaction.net/yournextmsp

Increasing dentist numbers... 📆Waiting lists ✈️Overseas applicants 🦷The existing workforce. We explore how the Government's latest plans could affect you. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/blog/increasing-numbers-a-look-behind-government-plans-for-international-dentist-expansion/

⚠️NHS dental charges are set to rise by 1.7% from 1 April. This hike won’t put a penny into a struggling service. It's a kick in the teeth for millions on modest incomes. https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/news/england-charge-hike-a-kick-in-the-teeth-for-millions-on-modest-incomes/

This seismic change feels like a quick fix. It doesn’t matter whether a dentist qualifies in Manchester or Mumbai. We won’t keep talent working within a failed, underfunded NHS system without real change. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/thousands-more-brits-access-nhs-36840813

The responsibility - or lack thereof - rests with Rachel Reeves and HMT.

Millions make a positive choice to go private. Those left without options, who have felt forced to go private, are there entirely because of choices made by the Treasury. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/09/nhs-dental-crisis-private-dentist-patient-incease-england

It isn't 'abuse' when practices reflect the mounting costs of delivering dental care in their private fees. But when it comes to chronically underfunding a service millions depend on, Government might just meet the definition Our letter to the editor of @thetimes.com