Why are people finding it difficult to access NHS dental care in Dorset?
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Healthwatch Dorset undertook further research into access to NHS dentistry as they continued to hear about people’s concerns on this topic. Healthwatch volunteers contacted all 93 NHS dental practices in Dorset to ask a series of questions about access to NHS care. The report also contains details of feedback they continue to receive on NHS dentistry.
Their snapshot research of access to NHS dentistry found that no dentists in Dorset are currently taking on new NHS adult patients and 18 out of 93 said they were accepting new children NHS patients.
Half of practices said that their waiting list for NHS treatment was over 12 months long
Three quarters of those practices that responded said their patients were receiving routine check ups and appointments.
The main themes in the feedback that Healthwatch Dorset receive about NHS dentistry are:
- People cannot find an NHS dentist in Dorset for either urgent or routine appointments.
- People are suffering from ongoing pain and unresolved dental issues because they have not been able to access treatment though the emergency dental hubs or through an NHS dentist.
- Delays are causing significant pain, inconvenience and worsening dental problems requiring further treatment
The report contains four recommendations about the commissioning of dentistry, information to patients and how dental practices could support people’s general health.