Derby city dental access mini report

Healthwatch Derby are consistently contacted about how to access NHS dental provision in the City. In October 2021 Healthwatch Derby was made aware that patients were unable to find an NHS dentist which was taking new NHS patients on in the City. Dentists were closed during the first lockdown and this along with the updated hygiene matters has led to a backlog for many practices nationally.

One patient who had made a complaint earlier in the year had received a response from NHS England Midlands complaints team. Within the response was a list of 15 dentists within a 2-miledistance of the patient’s postcode who have an NHS contract. After listening to the individual’s claims that they still could not get an NHS dentist, Healthwatch Derby decided to call the 15 Dentists on the list.

None of the 14 dentists that answered the phone were taking on new NHS patients over the age of 18. Only 3 of those contacted said they were taking on under 18’s only. Only 1 offered a waiting list, but with no guarantees of timescales.8 of the practices (53% of those asked) offered private only or what they called an alternative scheme. Which ranged from between £30 and £40as a check-up with additional charges for treatment. One mentioned £60 for Emergency treatment with subsequent costs for other treatment. One of them shared what schemes they had available and the costs.

The report highlights that access to NHS dental provision in Derby City seems to be falling behind the position it was in at the end of 2018.