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Dentists 'pull out more teeth' Dentists 'pull out more teeth'
(10 minutes later)
Dentists working under the new contract are more likely to pull teeth out or fit false ones than provide fillings or crowns, NHS figures show. Dentists are more likely to pull teeth out or fit false ones than provide fillings or crowns under an NHS deal introduced two years ago, figures show.
In England, treatments that included dentures increased from 38% to 48% between 2003/04 and 2007/08 and extractions from 7% to 8%.In England, treatments that included dentures increased from 38% to 48% between 2003/04 and 2007/08 and extractions from 7% to 8%.
But the number of crowns fell from 48% to 35% and fillings from 28% to 26%.But the number of crowns fell from 48% to 35% and fillings from 28% to 26%.
The figures also showed fewer patients being treated, despite more dentists joining the NHS after the 2006 deal. The figures also showed fewer patients being treated, despite more dentists joining the NHS after the new contract.
Overall, 27m patients were seen by an NHS dentist in England during the past two years - 1.1m fewer than the previous two years.Overall, 27m patients were seen by an NHS dentist in England during the past two years - 1.1m fewer than the previous two years.
Similar trends were reported for Wales, although there was no increase in the amount of dentures fitted. But there were 655 more dentists doing NHS work in 2007/08 than in the previous year - an increase of 3.2%.
The cost to the NHS for dental treatment increased by £56m to £531m in 2007/08 - an increase of 12% on the previous year. Similar trends in the type of dental work being done were reported for Wales, although there was no increase in the amount of dentures fitted.
The proportion of treatments in Wales which included teeth being taken out increased from around 8% to just over 9% and the number of crowns fell from 44% to 35%.
The figures from the NHS Information Centre also show regional differences in the amount of NHS work done by dentists.The figures from the NHS Information Centre also show regional differences in the amount of NHS work done by dentists.
Those in South Central Strategic Health Authority spent 56% of their time on NHS work compared with 84% in the North East.Those in South Central Strategic Health Authority spent 56% of their time on NHS work compared with 84% in the North East.
Contractual arrangementsContractual arrangements
The new dental contract, introduced in April 2006, was intended to allow dentists to spend more time with NHS patients in a bid to make the profession more attractive.The new dental contract, introduced in April 2006, was intended to allow dentists to spend more time with NHS patients in a bid to make the profession more attractive.
Costs to the NHS for dental treatment increased by £56m to £531m in 2007/08 - an increase of 12% on the previous year.
Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Information Centre said: "These reports show the most comprehensive picture of NHS dentistry to date under the new contractual arrangements.Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Information Centre said: "These reports show the most comprehensive picture of NHS dentistry to date under the new contractual arrangements.
"As a qualified dentist myself, it is interesting to see how a typical course of dental treatment is changing.""As a qualified dentist myself, it is interesting to see how a typical course of dental treatment is changing."