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Copy of 5 key Dental news stories Dentists should know about.
- Dr Dan Shaffer
- Oct 5
- 4 min read
This Week’s Dental News Round-Up: NHS Exodus, Price Rises, and Tooth Regeneration Breakthroughs
Staying informed on the latest developments in dental news isn’t just good business it’s essential for making sound decisions about your practice’s future. Here’s this week’s curated round up of the most important UK dental news, with quick, actionable insights for Dentists.
Summary Table
Headline | What’s New | Why It Matters for Practices |
English dentists quitting NHS work as fees lag behind costs | BDA reports dentists are withdrawing from NHS services, with many procedures subsidised from private work. (The Guardian) | Practices heavily reliant on NHS income may face sustainability pressure; diversification becomes critical. |
NHS dental charges increase across England | A 2.4% price hike raises common treatment costs (e.g. checkups, fillings) to new levels. (The Sun) | Patients may balk at higher costs; practices should plan communications, price transparency, and adjust revenue models. |
Millions in Scotland have not visited a dentist in years | Roughly 1.8 million Scots (plus many children) haven’t had a check-up over the past two years. (The Times) | Access gaps grow; there may be opportunity for practices to fill underserved areas, especially in private or mixed models. |
Keratin-based enamel repair breakthrough | Scientists at King’s College London have developed a keratin-derived coating that mimics enamel and may regenerate tooth surfaces. (New York Post) | This could shift restorative dentistry paradigms; practices should watch for commercialisation and adoption paths. |
Experimental drug shows promise for regrowing missing teeth | A new therapy blocking a growth-suppressing protein is undergoing trials, with potential to enable natural tooth regeneration. (The Week) | If successful, this innovation could disrupt implant/denture markets—worth tracking for forward-looking practices. |
Story Breakdowns
1. English Dentists Quitting NHS Work as Fees Fail to Cover Costs
The British Dental Association (BDA) has sounded the alarm: a growing number of dentists are withdrawing from NHS contracts because payment rates no longer cover the true costs of care. (The Guardian)The BDA’s analysis shows many common treatments are loss-making when factoring in staff, materials, and overheads. Some practices reportedly lose £40-50 per dentures case or subsidise routine checkups. (The Guardian)
What to watch/act on:
If your practice still leans heavily on NHS throughput, this signals increasing risk.
Consider accelerating transition to mixed/private models or renegotiating contract terms.
Monitor policy developments — if funding increases don’t follow, the exodus may widen.
2. NHS Dental Charges Increase Across England
From 1 April 2025, NHS dental charges in England rose by 2.4%. Basic checkups now cost £27.40 (Band 1), rising from £26.80. (The Sun) Fillings, extractions and root canals move to £75.30. More complex “Band 3” work (crowns, dentures) is up to £326.70. (The Sun)This increase aims to help the NHS absorb inflationary pressures, but critics argue it’s essentially cost-shifting onto patients without improving service capacity. (The Sun)
What to watch/act on:
Be transparent with existing and prospective patients about price changes.
Revisit your private pricing schedules—if patients balk at NHS costs, some may opt for private alternatives.
Factor in patient drop-off or delay risk in financial forecasts.
3. Millions in Scotland Haven’t Seen a Dentist for Years
Freedom-of-information data reveals about 1.8 million adults and over 177,000 children in Scotland haven’t visited a dentist in two years. (The Times) Some estimates suggest nearly 40% of people on the NHS dental register haven’t had care in over five years. (The Times)Reasons: cost pressures, long waits, lack of NHS dentist capacity, and regional inequality.
What to watch/act on:
Private or mixed practices may find geographic opportunities in areas underserved by NHS dentistry.
Design marketing or outreach strategies aimed at “past patients” or the “dental-avoiding” segment.
Partnership or satellite clinic models might help bridge gaps in access areas.
4. Keratin Breakthrough Could Regenerate Enamel
A research team at King’s College London has developed a keratin-based coating that bonds with saliva minerals, forming a dense, enamel-like layer. (New York Post) Unlike traditional resin or fluoride-based repair, this method may stimulate ongoing remineralisation or seal lesions.Commercial products are years out, but pilot usage in gels or in-office treatments is plausible.
What to watch/act on:
Keep abreast of regulatory approvals, clinical trials, and translation into consumer products.
Consider positioning your practice early as a “cutting-edge” clinic that adopts new technologies.
Train staff to explain novel therapies to patients cautiously — avoid overpromising.
5. Regrowing Missing Teeth: A Frontier in Dentistry
A Japanese research group has developed an experimental therapy that blocks a protein (USAG-1) which suppresses tooth regrowth. Early trials in animals show regeneration of tooth structures. (The Week) Human trials are underway, initially targeting rare cases of anodontia (no tooth development).If successful, it could upend the implant, bridge, and prosthetics markets.
What to watch/act on:
This is likely years away from general clinical use, but the direction is clear: biologic regeneration may become a competitor to mechanical solutions.
Monitor FDA/EMA approvals, patent landscapes, and commercial delivery models.
Prepare mindset shift: practices built today should consider how to adapt to regenerative therapies in the future.
Final Thoughts & Strategic Moves for Your Practice
This week’s stories reflect both crisis and opportunity in UK dentistry:
Crisis: NHS services are under severe financial strain. Many dentists are walking away. Patients in large populations remain underserved (e.g. parts of Scotland).
Opportunity: Innovations in biomaterials and regeneration hint at the next frontier in care. Access gaps create space for new models. Private or hybrid models may become more viable or necessary.
What you should consider this week:
Review your revenue mix — how much of your bottom line relies on NHS work?
Assess pricing and communication strategies in light of rising NHS charges.
Track innovation — identify one new technology or therapy to follow or pilot.
Scan your geography — are there access deserts near you? Could you fill those?
Prepare for disruption — make sure your practice is adaptable, both clinically and commercially.
Thank you for reading!
We know how busy dental professionals are, so we appreciate you taking the time to stay informed with BizDentistry. Our weekly updates are designed to keep you ahead in this fast-evolving industry.
Make sure you don’t miss next week’s edition where we’ll bring you more expert insights, practical tips, and the latest trends shaping UK dentistry.
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