Thank you for your request for information about the following:

Request

‘I was wondering if I could get data on the following:

(Past 5 years)

• Areas in UK with the highest number of periodontal treatments

• Areas with the most Band 2 claims for gum disease

• Areas with the lowest dental check-up rates

Also, if there is any data which shows number of treatment being caused due to bad dental tourism that would also be great.’

On 31 July 2025 you clarified your request as follows

‘By ‘bad dental tourism’, I was referring to instances where patients have received poor or substandard dental treatment abroad, which has subsequently led to complications that the NHS is now required to correct.

I am interested in knowing whether there are any recorded notes or data indicating that a dental issue treated by the NHS was initially caused by treatment received in another country.’

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 15 July 2025, with clarification received on 31 July 2025.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

Our response

Question 1 and 2 - Areas in UK with the highest number of periodontal treatments / Areas with the most Band 2 claims for gum disease

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested, and a copy of the information is attached.

Please read the below notes to ensure correct understanding of the data.

This report contains the details from General FP17s processed in the English & Welsh Regions, Integrated Care Boards/Health Boards and Local Authorities for years 2023/2024 to 2024/2025 and excludes activity by Foundation Dentists. The information within the report includes the data items and descriptions listed below.

Please note, the NHSBSA does not process dental activity for Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Reporting Year

The financial year which the activity/contracted services relate to - to be used for year-end reporting.

Commissioner Name

This is the name associated with the Commissioning Organisation.

Region Description

Latest name associated with the Region.

Local Authority Name

This is the Local Authority the contract is located in.

Total FP17s

This is a count of the number of FP17s scheduled including adjustments for amended and deleted FP17s. Withdrawn FP17s are not included in the total count of FP17s. This figure may be zero or negative if deleted FP17s have been processed.

Band 2 FP17s

This is a count of the number of FP17s which included a Band 2 treatment. This is based on the Treatment Category as recorded in part 5 of the FP17.

Advanced Perio RSD FP17s

This is a count of the number of Advanced Perio RSD FP17s.

Advanced Perio RSD FP17s %

This is a Percentage of the Total FP17s where Advanced Perio Treatment was Flagged as done.

Band 2 Advanced Perio RSD FP17s

This is a count of the number of Advanced Perio RSD FP17s listed as a Band 2 treatment.

Band 2 Advanced Perio FP17s %

This is a percentage of the number of FP17s which included a Band 2 treatment where Advanced Perio Treatment was Flagged as done.

Please note, the clinical dataset item Advanced Perio RSD was added to the FP17 on the 1 January 2024. Advanced Perio RSD is going to be included in the forthcoming annual stats publication. The publication date for this will be 28th August 2025.

Question 3 - Areas with the lowest dental check-up rates

Under Section 21 of the FOIA we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you.

The information you requested is available from the link below:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324

Please see the following link to view the section 21 in full - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/21

Question 4 - Also, if there is any data which shows number of treatment being caused due to bad dental tourism that would also be great

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA.

As this information is not captured on the FP17 it is not held by the NHSBSA.

It is possible that the information is captured in the patient notes at the individual practice. You would need to contact each practice individually to see if this information is held.

Data Queries

Please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the above reference if you have any specific questions regarding this response; or, if you feel you may be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the information; or, if you plan on publishing the data.

Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2025”. Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.