NHS: Speculation is rife over potential price hikes in State dental provision
Speculation that NHS dental charges could triple has mounted following rumours of a leaked proposal from the Department of Health (DoH).
Reports in the national media suggest that the Government could be introducing price hikes that could raise the cost of a basic dental check-up, scale and polish with one large filling from around £30 to over £90.
The DoH refused to confirm the rumours, but a spokesperson stated that ministers had received some proposals in a report, which they were considering.
Dental insurer HSA said price increases to NHS dentistry would create more of a blurring between State and private provision as the gap between pricing narrowed.
However, Jeremy Chadwick, spokesperson for HSA, added that high NHS costs could deter people from visiting the dentist. "We identified an astounding 66% of respondents claimed not to put aside any money at all for healthcare. As an organisation that works alongside the NHS, we are concerned that people are needlessly putting off treatment," he said.
The National Consumer Council (NCC) also voiced concerns over the rumours and called for an urgent and fundamental review of how NHS charges are fixed. "It is a prime example of creeping NHS charges and must be nipped in the bud," said Ed Mayo, chief executive of the NCC.
"If higher NHS charges are on the cards, we need to know on what grounds they are based and how they fit within the NHS ethos."
A predicted rise in the demand for dental cover was highlighted by an insurance website. Richard Mason, director of insuresupermarket.com, said: "If costs soar at a time when dentists working for the NHS are already in short supply, it seems more people will start to consider private dental cover."
