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Published: Tuesday, 12 August 2025 09:51

Written by News Editor

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Following advocacy by the British Dental Association (BDA), NHS England has issued new guidance to improve the collection of waiting time data for assessments and treatment within Community Dental Service (CDS) settings, specifically for vulnerable adults and children.

The new data collection framework, set to be implemented from August 2025 across England, aims to provide a more accurate national picture of access to care in the CDS.

Historically, patients—particularly children and vulnerable adults requiring procedures such as dental extractions under general anaesthetic—have faced delays of up to a year. The lack of reliable data has made it difficult to fully capture the scale of the challenge.

The BDA believes this initiative represents a critical step forward. Improved transparency will not only highlight the pressures facing the CDS but will also provide robust evidence to support calls for urgent investment in this vital area of NHS dentistry.

Giten Dabhi, Chair of the England Community Dental Services Committee said: “I know from the frontline that waiting times in the CDS are unacceptable, and this new data will turn that anecdote into fact.

“This is one of the key areas that we outlined in our ‘call to action’ to make sure community dentistry is finally given the priority it deserves. We asked for greater waiting list transparency on access to CDS services and that the data is published in the same format as other NHS services. 

“This guidance is an important step forward and the data that will become available later this year will shine a light on yearlong delays and enable us to press for substantive plans to address these backlogs. We welcome this first step on that journey.”

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