Health & Lifestyle · 6 Intermediate · August 24, 2026

Getting a Dentist in England: A Growing Problem

Photo: Engin Akyurt via Pexels

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Vocabulary

withdraw /wɪðˈdrɔː/ verb

to stop participating in something or pull out of a system

Many doctors withdrew from the program because they disagreed with the new rules.

availability /ə.veɪ.ləˈbɪl.ə.ti/ noun

the state of being ready or easy to access or use

Job availability in rural areas is very low compared to cities.

rural /ˈrʊr.əl/ adjective

relating to the countryside instead of towns or cities

Rural communities often lack services that city residents take for granted.

shift /ʃɪft/ noun

a change from one state, position, or direction to another

There has been a shift toward working from home in recent years.

shortage /ˈʃɔr.tɪdʒ/ noun

a lack of something needed; not having enough supply

The hospital faced a shortage of nurses during the busy winter season.

tier /tɪr/ noun

a level or rank in a system with different quality or price levels

The airline has three tiers of service: economy, business, and first class.

Article

In England, finding a dentist through the National Health Service (NHS) is becoming harder and harder. The situation depends greatly on where you live. Some areas have very few available dentists, while other regions have better options. This problem has grown worse over the past ten years.

Why Are Dentists Leaving?

Nearly 600 dental practices have stopped offering NHS services in the last decade. Dentists are choosing to leave the NHS system because the work can be difficult and the payment is not always good. Many dentists now focus on private patients instead, where they can earn more money. This shift creates a real problem for people who cannot afford private dental care.

A System Splitting in Two

The changes are creating two different systems. Wealthy people can access private dentists easily by paying money directly. Meanwhile, regular people who depend on NHS services struggle to find appointments and dental care. This situation is unfair because healthcare should be available to everyone.

Geographic Differences

Your location makes a huge difference in finding NHS dental care. Some towns and cities have acceptable dentist availability, but rural areas face serious shortages. People in certain regions may travel long distances to reach the nearest NHS dentist, or they might give up entirely.

What Happens Next?

The NHS and government officials are working to address this challenge. They recognize that the current system is not working well for many people. Solutions may include changes to payment systems for dentists or new policies to encourage them to keep serving NHS patients. However, progress has been slow.

Discussion Questions

Have you experienced difficulties finding a dentist in your country? What was the problem?
Why do you think some doctors and dentists might leave public healthcare systems?
What do you think is fair: should healthcare depend on whether people can afford to pay?
In your opinion, what solutions could help encourage dentists to keep serving NHS patients?
How does healthcare access differ between city areas and countryside areas in your experience?

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