Enter and view: Finding an NHS dentist in Peterborough and Wisbech

Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough conducted two Enter and View visits at Dental Access Centres run by Dental Healthcare. As there is a lack of urgent dental appointments in Peterborough and Wisbech, people are attempting to go to Dental Access Centres for treatment.

Patients reported that they self-referred to the Dental Access Centres and many were turned away from emergency appointments. There was mixed feedback about the phone systems used to book appointments also. Staff reported that patients who were children often had poor oral health when they came to the Dental Access Centres. Staff told the representatives that patients are turned away as demand is higher than commissioned activity.

Attendees of these Dental Access Centres experienced problems getting routine or emergency dental appointments. It was also reported that transport links to the Dental Access Centres were not good unless you had a car. It was clear that children were having an increasing amount of multiple tooth extractions. There was also not enough language assistance for non-English speaking communities.

Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough recommended that NHS England should continue to work with partners and gather public views in regard of the proposed changes to both urgent and routine dental care; review the need for dental services in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and commission activity in line with demand; ensure that information about dentists on the NHS Choices website is up to date and accurate; and direct dentists to take steps to increase dental care for children. It was recommended that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Public Health Team and Public Health England should commission an oral health campaign across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough targeting children and families. It was also recommended that Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust review accessibility of information in both Dental Access Centres to ensure this complies with the NHS England Accessible Information Standard.

and review availability of interpreting and translation services and maximise use of NHS England’s newly commissioned service.