Experiences of dental care services

Download (PDF 853.86 KB)

Summary of report content

Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees (HWS) collaborated with seven North East Healthwatch to provide a coordinated approach to gathering information from the public with a survey to discover their experiences of accessing and using NHS dental services.

They wanted to understand the experiences of dental care within the local community during the period from the first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 to January 2022. During the same period, HWS contacted dental practices in Stockton-on-Tees, with a series of questions, to understand the availability of services.

The findings within this report highlight that whilst there are good experiences of dental care in the Borough, general feedback indicates that staffing shortages, and historic concerns within the dental system are adversely impacting public dental health. In addition, additional health and safety measures, whilst welcome and necessary, are leading to delays in treatment.

There are some clear indicators of areas where improvements could be made including ensuring NHS Choices website contains up-to-date information, providing supportive advice to patients who are on waiting lists and often in discomfort, and improving NHS 111 advice and information.

Would you like to look at:

General details

Local Healthwatch
Healthwatch Stockton-on-tees
Publication date
Date evidence capture began
Date evidence capture finished
Key themes
Access to services
Cleanliness, Hygiene and Infection Control
Communication with patients; treatment explanation; verbal advice
Building, Decor and Facilities, including health and safety
Written information, guidance and publicity
Prevention of diseases, including vaccination, screening and public hygiene
Staffing - levels and training

Methodology and approach

Was the work undertaken in partnership with another organisation?
No
Name(s) of the partner organisation(s)
Seven North East Healthwatch - Gateshead, South Tees, North Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Hartlepool, Newcastle, Northumberland and Darlington
Primary research method used
Survey
If an Enter and View methodology was applied, was the visit announced or unannounced?
N/A

Details of health and care services included in the report

Details of health and care services included in the report
Dentist

Details of people who shared their views

Number of people who shared their views
71
Age group
25 to 49 years
65 to 79 years
Gender
All
Sexual orientation
Not known
Does this report feature carers?
No
Did you find this attached report useful?
0
No votes have been submitted yet.