In 2023, the number of practising dentists in the UK stood at 36.54 thousand persons. Over the past decade, there has been a consistent yet moderate growth in the number of dentists. Between 2013 and 2023, the growth rate has been steady with year-on-year variations ranging from a high of 2% in 2014 to slight decreases in some years.

The most recent data from 2023 shows a year-on-year increase of 0.7%. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the past five years stands at 0.87%, indicating moderate growth in recent years.

The forecast from 2024 to 2028 suggests a continuation of this trend with expected figures reaching 37.74 thousand by 2028. The forecasted 5-year CAGR is 0.51% with an overall growth rate of 2.58% over the period.

Looking ahead, areas to watch include:

Potential impacts of new training programs on the number of qualified dentists entering the workforce.
Changes in healthcare policies that could affect the demand for dental services.
Technological advancements in dental care that may influence the efficiency and operational numbers of practicing dentists.