Community insights on dental services
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Healthwatch Waltham Forest undertook research on dental services. Between January 2022 and January 2023, they spoke to 472 people.
83 percent of the feedback about dental services was positive. People trust their dentists are competent, understand the procedures they are having, feel involved in their care and supported by all dental practice staff.
Some people experienced difficulties booking dental appointments, or had to wait too long for dental treatment- patient experience in this respect was mixed. Patients not currently registered with a dentist had poorer access to treatment; but those registered also complained of difficulties and unsympathetic reception staff.
Care home managers also raised concerns about having difficulties finding a dentist able to visit the care home for patients who cannot travel outside of the home.
Private dental treatment is expensive, and can be particularly a hardship for patients who are unable to register with an NHS dentist, who were deregistered or who are unhappy with their current dentist but have no practical way of switching. Some private patients report feeling like their dental practice is trying to upsell them procedures or equipment they don't need.
Two local people said that their dental practice is not accessible to wheelchair users.
Patients who failed to attend annual check-ups (including during the pandemic when access was restricted), or who missed appointments, were unregistered from their dental practices, at a time when new registrations are hard to come by. Some report being de-registered in error.