NHS urgent dental appointments by 700,000 per year across England, starting in April 2025
We received information that there is expected to be from April about 68,000 extra urgent dental appointments available for Portsmouth dentists.
Each Integrated Care Board (ICB) has a target for additional urgent dental appointments. There is no new funding.
"Urgent" refers to cases with significant pain, broken teeth, or serious infections, excluding pre-cancer treatment checks. ICBs can arrange these appointments independently, with no national strategy, mandatory targets, or penalties for non-compliance.
Healthwatch England warns against raising public expectations and emphasizes clear communication about available appointments.