Only a third of dental practices are set to reopen today as the lockdown is eased.
Dentists have been allowed to operate for emergency procedures throughout the lockdown, but from Monday they are permitted to routinely treat patients again, with enhanced safety measures in place to protect patients and staff while the coronavirus pandemic is still raging.
But the British Dental Association (BDA) says only around a third of practices will reopen today.
The BDA's poll found 60% of dental practices will only be able to treat under a quarter of the patient numbers that they could before the pandemic.
A third of practices said they have enough PPE equipment, while only 15% said they expect to be able to offer a full range of treatments from today.
BDA Chair Mick Armstrong said: “Anyone expecting dentistry to magically return on Monday will find only a skeleton service.
“Those practices reopening now face fewer patients and higher costs and will struggle to meet demand.
“Dentists returning to work still lack the support offered to our neighbours on the high street, and even clarity on key worker status when it comes to childcare.
“Ministers must change tack if dentistry is going to survive the new normal.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said there were 550 NHS urgent dental care centres that will continue to treat patients until practices can safely offer a wider range of services. They include Newcastle's Dental Hospital.
