Experiences of dental care services
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Healthwatch Gateshead worked with 13 other Healthwatch in the North East to identify issues in relation to the availability of NHS dentistry. This report details experiences of people in Gateshead. They attempted to speak to 16 local dental practices about the availability of NHS dental appointments and undertook a survey to which 147 people responded.
Of the three dental practices they spoke to, the average waiting time for an appointment was under a month and all were accepting both private and NHS patients.
Over half of the people who responded to the survey needed a routine appointment. Over three in five found it difficult or very difficult to find a dentist. Over four in five were looking for an NHS dentist. Two in five were travelling more than four miles to see a dentist.
Urgent/emergency care was deemed to be very easy in terms of accessing a dental service by 60% of people. Check-ups and minor dental appointments were seen as the most difficult to access (32% and 20% respectively).
Most respondents (93%) had not used NHS 111 for emergency dental care. Although 7% had used 111, people may not be aware that they can use this for dental issues.
The findings demonstrate a positive experience for most people receiving dental treatment. Many who fed back were positive about their treatment. Patients praised staff and appreciated the extra efforts to assist them during the lockdown.
The report contains four recommendations.