BSG responds to NHS 10 Year Health Plan for England

British Society of Gerodontology Statement on the NHS 10-Year Plan

The British Society of Gerodontology (BSG) welcomes the publication of the NHS 10-Year Plan with the promise of increased access to dentistry. As the population continues to age, the oral health needs of older people must be prioritised within this broader ambition for personalised, preventative care.

We are pleased to see a shift towards more care being delivered in primary and community health settings. For older people, especially those who are frail, have complex needs, or live in care homes, this will require care that extends beyond traditional dental settings, including domiciliary and outreach services.

Person-centred care must include oral health. Oral conditions are both prevalent and preventable in older populations, yet are often overlooked in care planning. We support the commitment that by 2027, 95% of people with complex needs will have personalised care plans co-created with families. These plans must include oral health assessments, preventative regimes, and access to dental care, both routine and urgent.

We welcome the plan’s emphasis on early intervention, improved health outcomes, and digital innovation. Integration of digital dentistry, such as remote consultations and digital denture scanning, should be explored to support access and efficiency. The strong links between oral health and systemic conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory disease, and dementia, mean that addressing oral health will also support better outcomes for these major diseases.

We also support the focus on supporting carers, improving the social care workforce, and developing a 10-year workforce plan. Dental care professionals, across the spectrum of roles, must be embedded within integrated neighbourhood teams to ensure older people receive comprehensive, holistic care.

In aligning with the goals of this plan, BSG is committed to working with NHS organisations, policymakers, and partners to ensure that oral health is recognised as a vital component of healthy ageing and high-quality care.