Of the dental professionals responding to a Dental Defence Union (DDU) survey, 96% said they want political parties to include plans in their manifestos to support the health and wellbeing of the dental workforce.

Eight in ten (80%) of the 282 responding to the DDU's survey also said they feel negative about the future of the NHS.

John Makin, head of the DDU, said:

"Our members have made their views clear, and it should be a wake up call for all politicians in this election campaign. They want all political parties to include commitments in their election manifestos to support the health and wellbeing of the dental workforce. The people who care for us need healthcare leaders and the government to care for them.

"The majority of dental professionals responding to our survey do not feel positive about the future of the NHS and this is something that should concern us all. These are professionals caring for patients day in day out and doing their best for them, often against the odds. Morale is clearly being impacted and it is no wonder that they are looking for politicians to offer them more support with their own health and wellbeing needs.

"As we await the political party manifestos, we hope this is a call to action for politicians to really offer meaningful support in caring for the carers. Earlier this year, NHS England extended a programme whereby all clinicians would access mental health support from the NHS Practitioner Health programme, having earlier said secondary care clinicians would no longer be able to access the service. This was a welcome reversal and we are now calling on all the political parties to commit to this support for the long term."

One dental professional responding to the survey commented: "There aren't enough hours in the day. We are trying to give the best patient care we can, but we have so many patients, it is difficult and stressful."

Only 17% of those responding said they always felt able to deliver optimal patient care, 56% said this was possible most of the time, 21% half the time and 6% less than half the time. The impact of this was raised concerns about receiving a complaint or claim, poorer mental health and lower team morale.

Notably, 41% of respondents said they are planning to reduce their hours because of these pressures and 31% are planning to leave practice or retire, while 45% are reprioritising their workloads.

Those responding to the survey were asked which dento-legal issues parliament should prioritise and this was the order they selected.

Tackle waiting times/access to NHS treatment
Reform healthcare regulation by the GDC
Tackle abusive or threatening behaviour by patients
Clinical negligence claims reform
Better support for staff mental health
Better workplace facilities such as staff rooms.

The DDU surveyed a sample of dental professionals in May 2024 with the 282 respondents representing a 5% response rate. Respondents were GDPs (46%), dental care professionals (29%), hospital/community dentists (17%) and foundation dentists (8%).

Dental professionals want political parties to pledge support for their health and wellbeing

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