Patients to benefit as access to NHS dental appointments is broadened

New figures show the NHS delivered 1.8 million extra dental treatments over seven months, and the government is broadening its target so Integrated Care Boards can offer all dental appointments rather than a narrow clinical definition of 'urgent'.

Patients are being offered wider access to NHS dental care after new figures and advice from senior officials prompted a change in policy. Data show the NHS delivered 1.8 million additional courses of dental treatment in the first seven months of 2025–26 compared with the period before the general election. The government had pledged 700,000 extra urgent appointments and many areas have already commissioned additional capacity. The change broadens the target so that Integrated Care Boards can offer a wider range of appointments to meet local needs. What we know: - The NHS delivered an extra 1.8 million courses of dental treatment in the first seven months of 2025–26 compared with the year up to the general election. - The government pledged 700,000 extra urgent dental appointments and Integrated Care Boards have commissioned nearly one million appointments in line with that commitment. - The Chief Dental Officer said the existing clinical definition of 'urgent' was too narrow, and the government is broadening the target to include all dental appointments following that advice. - Reports indicate some patients have performed DIY dentistry, pulling out loose teeth themselves due to lack of access to care. - From April 2026, high street dentists will be required to offer a minimum number of urgent or unscheduled appointments, which could include new patients. - The government is also rolling out a national supervised toothbrushing programme for 3 to 5 year olds, supporting up to 600,000 children and delivering over 4 million toothbrushes and toothpastes. Summary: Broadening the scope beyond the narrow clinical definition of 'urgent' is intended to let Integrated Care Boards offer more types of dental appointments and to increase the total number of NHS dental visits. The government expects this change, together with dental contract reforms and prevention programmes such as supervised toothbrushing, to lead to millions more appointments and wider access, with children and those in greatest need highlighted as likely beneficiaries. From April 2026, high street dentists will have a new requirement to provide a minimum number of urgent or unscheduled slots. Local areas will determine how to repurpose or recommission services to meet community needs.