Effect of covid-19 on dental services

Background

On 25 March 2020, NHS dental practices were told to cease routine dentistry, including orthodontics, in response to the pandemic.[1] In written evidence submitted to the ‘Coronavirus: Lessons Learnt’ inquiry, the Association of Dental Groups note that “individual practices were instructed that unless they had been identified by area commissioners as part of the urgent dental system in a/their regions they should not see patients face to face”.[2]

NHS dental practices in England were subsequently asked to reopen from 8 June 2020 “for all face to face care”[3] and have remained open. Government guidance published on 4 January 2021 regarding which businesses can remain open in England during the new national lockdown specifically lists “medical and dental services”.[4]

It was reported in The Sunday Times that 83,800 dental treatments took place in May 2020 compared with a usual monthly average of 3.3. million.[5] The article goes on to note that since reopening on 8 June 2020, many practices have been operating at a quarter of capacity and “in August, dentists delivered 811,029 courses of treatment – about 25% of the number typically carried out”.[6]

[1]      Written evidence submitted by the Association of Dental Groups to the Health and Social Care & Science and Technology Committee’s joint inquiry ‘Coronavirus: Lessons learnt’, November 2020

[2]      Written evidence submitted by the Association of Dental Groups to the Health and Social Care & Science and Technology Committee’s joint inquiry ‘Coronavirus: Lessons learnt’, November 2020

[3]      NHS England, Letter from the Chief Dental Officer and Director of Primary Care and System Transformation to dental practices: Resumption of dental services in England, 28 May 2020

[4]      GOV.UK, Guidance: National lockdown: Stay at Home, Businesses and venues which can remain open, Last updated 6 January 2021

[5]      The Sunday Times, Coronavirus: dental care ‘timebomb’ leaves Britons unable to have teeth checked, 4 October 2020

[6]      The Sunday Times, Coronavirus: dental care ‘timebomb’ leaves Britons unable to have teeth checked, 4 October 2020