Dentistry in Sheffield: our evidence to the select committee

Healthwatch Sheffield submitted evidence to a national inquiry into NHS dentistry after receiving a significant increase in enquiries about dental access. During 2022, around one in four enquiries received by Healthwatch Sheffield related to difficulties accessing NHS dental care. Many people were unable to obtain either routine or urgent treatment, with some reporting that they had not seen a dentist since before the Covid-19 pandemic. Research undertaken by Healthwatch found very limited availability of NHS dental appointments in Sheffield, with many practices operating waiting lists of up to two years or having closed their lists entirely. 

A key concern was the lack of accessible and reliable information. Healthwatch found that NHS website information about dental availability was often inaccurate or out of date, leading people to contact practices that were not actually accepting new NHS patients. People seeking urgent care also reported difficulties accessing treatment despite experiencing severe pain. Some individuals felt NHS 111 did not adequately address their needs, while others were unaware of policies designed to prioritise patients requiring urgent treatment. Healthwatch found that people who already had a regular NHS dentist generally had significantly better access to both routine and urgent care than those who did not.

The report highlighted growing inequalities between patients who could afford private treatment and those who could not. Several practices indicated that private appointments were available much more quickly than NHS appointments, leaving some patients feeling they had little choice but to pay privately. Healthwatch heard from individuals who had applied for credit or taken on debt to fund treatment, while others delayed care altogether because they could not afford private fees. Concerns were also raised about the impact of delayed treatment on physical and mental health, particularly where ongoing pain, untreated conditions or anxiety about worsening oral health affected daily life. 

Children’s access to NHS dentistry emerged as a particularly significant issue. Healthwatch found that only around one in five practices were accepting new NHS patients under 18 years old. Parents reported difficulties securing appointments, with some children having never seen a dentist despite being of school age. Case studies included people experiencing severe pain, long waits for specialist treatment, difficulties obtaining urgent appointments and concerns that unresolved dental problems would lead to more serious health consequences. Healthwatch concluded that poor access to NHS dentistry was having a substantial impact on health inequalities and leaving many Sheffield residents unable to obtain timely and affordable dental care.