NHS dentists in England delivered around 6% more courses of treatment for adults and 7% more for children, but activity has not yet caught up with pre-pandemic levels yet, new official data reveals.

The NHS Business Services Authority data show that in 2025/26, there were 25 million courses of treatment provided for adults by NHS practices, and 13 million for children.

In total, 19 million adult patients were seen in the two years before 31 March 2026, and just over 7 million children – representing 40% and 60% of the English population respectively.

Of these, 61% were for band 1 treatments, and 11% were for urgent treatments.

However, the total of 37.6 million courses carried out compares with more than 39.7 million in 2018/19, leaving activity below 95% of pre-pandemic levels.

The British Dental Association (BDA) said the figures represented only modest improvements on the previous year and argued that fundamental reform was needed to tackle continuing problems with access.

Recent analysis by the Nuffield Trust found one in ten practices providing general NHS dentistry in England had ceased doing so since March 2017.

In addition, the BDA’s analysis of official data published earlier this summer estimated unmet need for NHS dental care among adults at more than 13 million in 2025/26, equivalent to more than one in four of England’s adult population.

The association noted that the Government has pledged fundamental reform of the NHS dental contract, but also pointed out that a consultation expected this summer has yet to be launched.

BDA chair Eddie Crouch said: ‘What these figures show is NHS dentistry has not bounced back.

‘Even before Covid struck, underfunding and failed contracts meant in “normal” times this service was beset by access problems, with millions unable to access basic care.

‘This is a reminder of just how far off from “normal” we remain. It’s for government to choose if they actually want better for patients.’

Neil Carmichael, Executive Chair of the ADG, said: ‘It is heartening to see a continued uplift in the number of courses of treatment delivered. NHS delivery in England has increased and markedly so. To see that in 2025/26, courses of treatments for adult patients increased by 6% and by 7% for children is good news.

‘This data is in contrast to the analysis from the Nuffield Trust. NHS dentistry is still delivered by most dentists. Our dental groups are proud to be providing NHS dental care to patients who need it. The ADG celebrates NHS dentistry and we salute the dentists and dental care professionals who are making this happen.’