Dentistry and oral health report

Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees created the 'Report on patient experience of dental services in Stockton-on-Tees' report following Public Health informing them that Oral Health was one of its future priorities for 2018/2019, and welcomed any feedback they could gather from patients by carrying out a planned engagement activity.

Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees asked all dental providers in the locality to take part in the engagement activity and talked to patients at each dental practice they visited. There was also a survey for patients distributed. The patient survey was also placed on social media and in the Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees newsletter. In total, they visited and observed 16 dental practices and received 231 pieces of feedback from patients.

Conclusions from the visits and feedback included:

- Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees observed that dental practices have a commitment to ensuring they gather feedback from their patients on the service they provide with surveys or suggestion boxes. All practices had relevant and informative literature displayed. Half of the practices visited utilised a TV screen to advertise oral health information and advice.

- The majority of patients fed back that they are happy with the booking systems and access to appointments however, some felt that weekend and evening appointments would be beneficial.

- Overall, Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees concludes that patient and staff feedback is largely positive, with 84% (of those patients surveyed) describing the service they receive at their dental practice as good or higher.

There are 5 recommendations made in the report:

 Clear NHS pricing information advertised in the surgery for those.

 Installation of a hearing loop in the practices which currently do not have one installed.

 Home visit service appears not to be available for housebound individuals.

 Advertising in the practices for what patients should do in case of an out of ours emergency.

 Extend opening hours to evenings and weekends.

The report includes a response from NHS England.