Bupa to cut 85 dental practices in staff shortage

Bupa is set to cut 85 dental practices amid a national shortage of dentists, in a move that will affect 1,200 staff across the UK.

The group said patients at some practices were unable to access the NHS dental service they need.

Bupa, which provides NHS and private care, said the 85 practices would be closed, sold or merged later this year.

The healthcare group's boss said the industry faced "systematic challenges" and the decision was a "last resort".

In August the BBC revealed 9 in 10 NHS dental practices across the UK were not accepting new adult patients for treatment under the health service.

Bupa has not been able to recruit enough dentists to deliver NHS care in many practices for months and in some cases years, it said.

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Source: BBC News, 30 March 2023