24.08.12
NHS sees increasing numbers of female dentists – HSCIC
The gap between male and female dentists working on the NHS is narrowing as a new report indicates increasing numbers of women working on the NHS as dentists.
The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) found that of the 23,000 high street dentists who performed NHS activity in 2011/12, 44.5% were female. This is up from 43.5% on the previous year.
There has also been a gradual increase in the number of female dentists making up the under-35 age group, which is now at 55.4% compared to 55.2% in the previous year.
In the 24 months to June 2012, 29.6 million patients were seen by an NHS dentist and the number of courses of treatment performed increased by 326,000 in a year to 39.6 million in 2011/12.
The report, NHS Dental Statistics for England: 2011/12, brings together information on different aspects of NHS dentistry in England.
HSCIC chief executive Tim Straughan said: “Today’s figures show that more females are working for the NHS as high street dentists, with the under 35’s age group in particular made up of more women than men.
“Today’s figures come hot on the heels of two more HSCIC reports that show dentists’ working hours have gradually increased. Primary care dentists have also seen a drop in their taxable income. Together, these dentistry reports offer a broad picture of what is happening within the dental profession and its patients.”
The report is at www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dentalstats1112
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]