No wonder it’s so difficult to find an NHS dentist. The introduction of new contracts in 2006 has turned them into tax haven recluses. A report based on tax returns reveals that at least 400 dentists earn more than £300,000 a year, and one in twenty pocket more than £200,000 a year. They must be working really hard, what with demand being so high. Not quite. Official figures show that 1.2 million fewer patients saw an NHS dentist last year compared to the year before the new contracts were introduced. Health minister Ann Keen insists: “Access to NHS dentistry is continuing to improve.” Ouch!
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