A new report by Policy Exchange calls for a complete overhaul of NHS dentistry in England through the introduction of a Dental Voucher for adults worth £150 a year which can be used with any dental professional towards dental treatment or towards the cost of a dental insurance policy.

 The report also proposes to ensure all children can receive free NHS dental treatment by amending dentists license so that children must be offered appointments, with dentist reimbursement to continue at NHS rates.

These proposals are designed to end the postcode lottery in dentistry in England, to give all adults an equal opportunity to access public support towards dental costs and to guarantee dental treatment for children.

In a Foreword to the report, former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Rt Hon Sir Sajid Javid, wrote:

“This excellent report by Policy Exchange is a blue-print for embedding those principles at the heart of NHS dentistry. A voucher that people could use to pay for dental insurance or a capitation plan could fully cover a basic plan, or act as a co-payment towards a more extensive plan for others.

“Such a system would empower patients, drive up standards through genuine competition, and finally break the deadlock of the current contract. It is a reform that aligns perfectly with a vision of a modern, responsive health service – one that prevents agony rather than just treating it, and one that serves the patient, not bureaucracy.”

The launch of this report was covered by:

• The Times
• The Independent (1)
• The Independent (2)
• The Mirror
• Sky News
• LBC (1)
• LBC (2)
• POLITICO’s London Playbook
• MyLondon
• Dentistry