The number of dentists on open national health service contracts in England as at 30 June 2006, 30 September 2006, 31 December 2006 and 31 March 2007 are available in table E1 of annex 3 of the “NHSDental Statistics for England: 2006-07” report. This information is provided by strategic health authority (SHA) and by primary care trust (PCT).
This report, published by the Information Centre for health and social care, on 23 August 2007, copies are available in the Library and is also available at:
www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dental0607
The numbers quoted are headcounts and do not differentiate between full-time and part-time dentists, nor do they account for the fact that some dentists may do more NHS work than others.
The methodology for counting and reporting the NHS dental work force is currently under review. The review, led by analysts at the Information Centre and the Statistical Directorate of the Welsh Assembly Government, working in liaison with the Dental Services Division of the NHS Business Services Authority, aims to ensure that following the first year of the new dental contractual arrangements, the figures provide an appropriate measure of the work force.
The work force data provided in the 2006-07 report will therefore remain the latest available until this review is complete.
The Information Centre for health and social care is due to publish a report on dental working hours from 2006-07 and 2007-08 in August 2008. This report will contain some analysis of the full-time equivalent workforce and NHS commitment.