AQW 2480/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 30/06/2022
Answered On Date: 07/07/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the total number of hours that dentists spent providing NHS treatment in each of the last five years; and (ii) these figures as a percentage of the total time dentists spent treating all patients.

Answer:

Information is not collected by Business Services Organisation on the length of time dentists spend providing Health & Social Care treatment and is therefore not available. Business Services Organisation does not hold any information in relation to private treatments that are carried out by dental practices.

NHS Digital however carry out a biennial Dental Working Patterns Survey of primary care NHS/Health Service dentists in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The survey is based on a sample of all dentists. Information on average weekly hours, weeks of annual leave, the division of time between NHS/Health Service and private dentistry, and clinical and non-clinical work, is presented as well as measures of motivation and morale. The latest Dentists' Working Patterns, Motivation and Morale report for 2018/19 and 2019/20 can be found at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/dental-working-hours/2018-19-and-2019-20-working-patterns-motivation-and-morale