Dentistry in Derbyshire
Download (PDF 1.44 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Derbyshire wanted to follow up their 2021 research on dentistry, because in 2023, it was the second most common topic that people contacted them about. They undertook mystery shopping on the NHS Find a Dentist website to see if local practices were accepting new adult and/or children NHS patients. They contacted local practices by phone if their profile hadn't been updated in the last 90 days. They shared their findings with decision makers on a regular basis.
Key findings:
During the research there have been times when only three practices in Derbyshire have welcomed new adult NHS patients.
The number of practices accepting new patients temporarily improved in November 2022 due to some additional funding for practices.
Seven dental practices stopped their NHS contracts and moved to providing private only dental work. This meant many patients had to try to find alternative NHS treatment.
82% of all comments we received from the public were about not being able to find a dentist.
The report details the impact of this work, including an improvement in the number of practices updating the NHS Find a Dentist website about availability, and key recommendations to improve access to NHS dentistry locally.