New report reveals small rise in NHS dental workforce in England

A new report published by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) reveals that 24,300 dentists performed NHS dental activity in England in 2023/24,
marking a 0.4 per cent rise from the previous year’s 24,227.

However, this figure represents a 1.5 per cent decrease from 24,700 dentists with NHS activity in 2019/20.

The report covers NHS dental activity and the NHS dental workforce in England from 2019/20 to 2023/24.

It is the first release from NHSBSA following the transition from NHS England, which previously issued the report.

There were 34 million courses of dental treatment in England for 2023/24, a 4.3 per cent increase from 2022/23. The total units of dental activity (UDAs) rose
by 3.4 per cent to 73 million.