Access to NHS dentistry 2024 - findings

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Summary of report content

Healthwatch England's  new research provides the first ever evidence on patients’ awareness of how NHS dentistry system works and what kind of dental service they want for the future. 

It also provides the latest data on people's experiences of and access to NHS dentistry. 

It aims to offer independent feedback on impact of (the previous government’s) 'Dental Recovery Plan’ on access to NHS dentistry and inform the new government’s ‘Dental Rescue Plan’. 

Healthwatch England commissioned two nationally representative polls from Savanta: ​​

  • 1- 3 March, 2024: 1,942 adults (people aged 18 or over) living in England ​

  • 13-15 September, 2024: 1,791 adults (people aged over 18) living in England

Key questions asked included

  • When did you last attend an NHS dental appointment?​

  • If seen in last two years, experience of access, information, care from the individual dentist, NHS dental charges and access for any children.​

  • If not seen in last two years, reasons why, what you did next, and impact on you.​

  • Your understanding of dental ‘registration’ ​

  • Your preferred future model for accessing routine NHS dental care. 

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General details

Local Healthwatch
Healthwatch England
Publication date
Date evidence capture began
Date evidence capture finished
Key themes
Access to services
Cost and funding of services

Methodology and approach

Was the work undertaken in partnership with another organisation?
No
Primary research method used
Survey
If an Enter and View methodology was applied, was the visit announced or unannounced?
N/A

Details of health and care services included in the report

Details of health and care services included in the report
Dentist

Details of people who shared their views

Number of people who shared their views
3,733
Age group
18 to 24 years
25 to 49 years
50 to 64 years
65 to 79 years
80+ years
Ethnicity
Arab
Asian / Asian British: Bangladeshi
Asian / Asian British: Chinese
Asian / Asian British: Indian
Asian / Asian British: Pakistani
Asian / Asian British: Any other Asian / Asian British background
Black / Black British: African
Black / Black British: Caribbean
Black / Black British: Any other Black / Black British background
Mixed / Multiple ethnic groups: Asian and White
Mixed / Multiple ethnic groups: Black African and White
Mixed / Multiple ethnic groups: Black Caribbean and White
Mixed / Multiple ethnic groups: Any other Mixed / Multiple ethnic groups background
Types of disabilities
No
Yes
Seldom heard groups
People on low incomes
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