Accessing NHS dental care in Dorset
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Healthwatch Dorset spoke to 74 NHS registered dental practices in Dorset, to understand more about why people were having difficulty getting the dental care they need.
The findings from their snapshot research are as follows:
• Only three were taking on new NHS adult patients, though six said they were taking on new NHS patients who were pregnant.
• Only four practices said they were taking on new NHS patients who were being treated for cancer. Another five said they would see people receiving cancer treatment, but only if they were referred and/or had additional needs, for example, a disability or diagnosed mental health condition, under the discretion of the dentist.
• Only 13 practices were taking on children as new NHS patients, and two of those only in emergencies. A further seven said they would see children, but only if their parents were registered as private patients.
• Only 18 (25%) of the dental practices that responded had a waiting list for NHS patients; 48 (65%) did not. Waiting times varied and some practices did not know when they would open their waiting list.
• 66 (49%) of dental practices reached were seeing existing patients for routine appointments.
The report contains case studies highlighting the positive steps being taken to providing dental care to the local homeless community. Healthwatch made recommendations to improve access for people, especially those in need of urgent care.