The cost of living crisis continues to chip away at the bank accounts of Britons, and those who rely on NHS dentistry for good oral hygiene will be hit even harder in April - as prices rise once again.
Millions of people all across the UK are struggling with inflation, but will see a staggering 8.5% increase in dental contributions as of April 24.
It comes after a decade of Tory taxpayer funding cuts, in which the public have been made to pay a greater share directly for trips to the dentist.
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The Mirror reports that band 1 routine check-ups will increase from £23.80 to £25.80, band 2 procedures such as fillings will increase from £65.20 to £70.70, and major band 3 services such as dentures will surge from £282.80 to £306.80. Shawn Charlwood, committee chair at the British Dental Association, said: “This is an utterly grotesque display of priorities from the Treasury.
“This hike won’t put a single penny into a struggling service. Our patients are being asked to pay more simply so ministers can pay less. The Government did not have to go down this path during a cost-of-living crisis.
"This is a cold, calculated political choice that will hit millions on modest incomes. Ministers must know some face a choice between heating, eating and seeking NHS care. And they are carrying on regardless."
The price surge comes after the recent revelation that 11 million Brits are now going without appointments or cannot afford dental fees - a figure which has increased from four million in 2019. In the region of 7.5 million across England alone last year were unable to access NHS dentists, being turned away, left on waiting lists, or unable to afford the cost.
A total of 3.6 million did not even bother trying to get an appointment as they believed there was no chance of one.
While a proportion of the adult population is exempt from NHS charges, the BDA stress that many on modest incomes will inevitably be forced to think twice about seeking care. Entitlements to free care are limited, with many Universal Credit recipients not being eligible.
Cat Hobbs, director at anti-privatisation campaign group We Own It, said: “This is absolutely outrageous. The Government is forcing people to pay a small fortune to keep their teeth healthy, in the middle of a cost of living crisis.
“They're trying to normalise paying huge amounts to look after basic health needs. The NHS is the best thing this country has ever invented, and this Government is chipping away at it bit by bit. People shouldn't have to pay to go to the dentist, get an eye test or get their ears syringed.
“The Government is lying when it says the NHS is free at the point of use. It's Victorian. These government decisions mean that huge numbers of people who are struggling right now won't look after their health because they can't afford it.
“It's not normal to be shelling out for these things and we won't accept it. We call on the Government to fund our NHS properly so it can provide the excellent service people rightly expect."
A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “Despite rising inflation, dental charges have remained frozen since 2020 however, this proportionate rise will ensure that NHS dental patients continue to receive high quality care and treatment. Children, those on lower incomes and pregnant women are among those who will continue to receive free dental care.
“We’re investing more than £3bn a year in dentistry for NHS patients and while we have already made some changes to the dental contract to improve access for patients, we will be setting out plans to further improve NHS dentistry shortly.”
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