Dentists

[Lindylou]

Have just learned/read that some individual NHS dentists are earning in excess of �200,000 per year. Why aren't the names of these dentists/practices published? After all, our N.I. contributions pay these people. No probs if they are genuinely earning this money, but so many are accepting minimal NHS patients - those who are exempt, i.e. children/expectant-nursing mums/ those on benefits, etc. Comments appreciated!

[Twenty20]

What would you do if you knew the names of these dentists? How would it help?

There's a lot of GP's too who earn a lot of money these days since the contracts were changed, but I can't really see the need to name them.

[Sqad]

Twenty......I agree with you, what would or could people do if they knew.

[sn�gs]

''what would or could people do if they knew''

Smash their teeth in? ;-)

[Ice.Maiden]

I agree with Twenty and Sqad. Dental work on the NHS is basic. If you want your teeth whitening, or any decent cosmetic work done, you have to pay for it.
I don't see how it'd help anyone to know what individuals earn, and their income should be just as private as anyone else's.
Doctors and dentists can earn a fair amount of money, but this is usually topped up by private work. I think it's justified, after the years they spend studying for their profession, but have to say that NHS charges, like prescriptions, seem to be on the high side, which makes it difficult, especially when needing dental work doing, and the result is that people on low incomes or benefits are unable to afford even the basic treatment - assuming that they can get on a dentist's list at all.

[fredpuli47]

The Times carries this story today, under the headline 'Hundreds of dentists earn more than �300,000'. It then goes on to say that, in England, average salaries were calculated at �126,527 once average expenses of �218,843 for 'building hire, staff and other running costs' were deducted !. The figure of �300, 000 is misleading.It's a question of gross receipts and accountancy practice, rather than NHS dentists taking home �300,000. The original story was, in any case, not the full story of NHS dentists. The figures did not distinguish between any private, non-NHS, receipts, and NHS contract receipts for work.

GPs on standard NHS contracts have income around the �120K level too.