What we've heard about dentistry - January 2021 update

Healthwatch Sheffield produced this briefing in January 2021 to summarise what local people were experiencing when trying to access dental care during the Covid-19 pandemic. Dentistry had become one of the most common issues raised with Healthwatch, with many people reporting confusion about how services were operating and difficulty finding clear information about available care. While recognising the challenges faced by dental practices, the report highlighted the significant impact that limited access and changing service arrangements were having on patients.

A key theme was the impact of delayed treatment. People described living with dental pain for long periods while waiting for appointments, with some reporting that temporary measures such as pain relief or antibiotics did not adequately address their problems. There was also widespread confusion about what qualified as urgent dental care. Some people felt they were unable to explain their circumstances because they were not properly triaged when contacting practices, while others did not understand why significant dental issues were not considered urgent enough for treatment. 

The report found that people without an existing relationship with a dental practice faced particular difficulties accessing treatment. New residents, families seeking care for children and people without a regular dentist often reported being told they could not be seen because they were not registered, despite national guidance indicating that urgent care should still be accessible. Healthwatch identified confusion around these arrangements and suggested that clearer information for both patients and providers was needed. 

Another major concern was the growing difference between access to NHS and private dental care. Healthwatch heard from increasing numbers of people who were offered private appointments much sooner than NHS treatment, while NHS waiting times could extend to 18-24 months. Many people expressed concern that they could not afford private fees and felt this was creating inequalities in access to dental care. The report concluded that clearer communication, better public information and improved understanding of available treatment pathways were needed to help people access appropriate dental care during the pandemic.