The Times  6.8.16 “THE GREAT DENTAL RIP-OFF”

1,000s of people are losing their teeth needlessly because taking teeth out is now more lucrative for NHS dentists than saving them.  Regulators say dentists extract teeth to avoid carrying out time-consuming complex treatment, which they are paid the same money for by the NHS.  Dentists receive £25 for each Unit of Dental Activity (UDA.)   Dental check-ups are popular with dentists as they receive £25 for each check-up & some NHS dentists cram in 30 to 60 quick check-ups a day.  Under reforms 10 years ago extracting a tooth counts as 3 UDAs which is the same amount as handed out for doing fillings & root canal work.  Root canal treatment usually takes much longer than extracting a tooth.   Some dentists earn £500,000 a year by cramming in as many appointments as they can.   The President of the British Endodontic Society said NHS extractions have jumped by a fifth & root canals have fallen by half after the dental contracts started paying the same for both treatments.   The Taxpayers Alliance said an urgent review of dental payments is needed.   Trevor Lamb is co-founder of the “Saving Teeth Awareness Campaign.”  There is concern that some dentists are skimping on treatment & hygiene to maximise income.  The General Dental Council said “If patients had a full understanding they would be quite appalled.”

Ann