New NHS dental payment scheme could reshape provider models

The UK government announced plans for a significant modernisation of the NHS contract with dental providers in December 2025, following a public consultation.

Under the new approach, patients will the most severe dental issues will be able to get comprehensive treatment on the NHS under a streamlined payment system, while dental practices with NHS contracts will now be required to provide urgent appointments locally – ensuring painful conditions receive treatment quickly.

The new rules take effect from April 2026, with the changes meaning NHS patients can obtain treatment with a dentist over a longer period, tailored to their needs, which could save them up to £225 in fees; while dentists will be incentivised to deliver the new requirements under a standardised payment package.

Dorian Rees, a healthcare sector expert with Pinsent Masons, said that while the new proposals could have a significant benefit for patients, it would also create practical challenges for practices.

“Embedding urgent care into the NHS dental contract and incentivising comprehensive pathways for complex cases represents a significant contractual shift,” he said.

“If implemented effectively, it should enhance access and strengthen prevention, particularly for children, while giving providers greater clarity on the economics of comprehensive treatment packages.

“These changes will inevitably raise practical questions around capacity, pricing structures and workforce planning, and providers may wish to consider how the new framework interacts with their existing contractual obligations and business models.”

The changes form part of a broader plan by the UK government to improve the NHS dental offering, with enhanced support for dental professionals to be made available and government funding of sick leave for practitioners, as it looks to try and address a national shortage of dentists.