The state of NHS dentistry in Liverpool
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Healthwatch Liverpool report on the key themes they are hearing in their feedback about access to NHS dentistry, together with some facts and figures about NHS dentistry.
Whereas previously Healthwatch used to receive some calls from people looking for a dentist for check-ups, now almost all of their dental callers already have a dental problem and have been dealing with pain for some time. People are increasingly desperate about the state of their teeth. Many have already been seen by the Emergency Dental Service which provides one-off care for people with urgent needs and have then been told to find a dentist for their ongoing care.
The problems affect some people particularly severely:
People who can’t afford to pay privately no matter how desperate they are.
People who didn’t have a dentist previously (e.g. people who have moved to Liverpool, asylum seekers or refugees, people who have been homeless, people who avoided dental care previously out of poverty, other life pressures or dental fear).
Families who have needed to move because of domestic violence and can’t safely access their previous dentist.
People who might have been prioritised for dental care before, such as: pregnant women, young children, people with major health conditions, are struggling to get routine care and treatment.
Some people, out of desperation try to pay for private care by dipping into savings, juggling finances or borrowing money. Private finance for dentistry is now widely advertised but risks putting people into debt they cannot afford to pay. People should have the option of NHS care. We are often in the uncomfortable position of telling people that it might be years before they will get an NHS dentist, but that private care is immediately available to those who can pay.