Accessing NHS dental care in Dorset
Access to NHS dentistry has been one of the most significant issues raised with Healthwatch across England over the last 18 months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We investigated why people are struggling to get dental care in the county, finding only three of Dorset’s 99 NHS registered dental practices who were taking on new adult patients and only 13 who were accepting children as new patients.
From September to November 2021, our team of volunteers contacted all 99 of Dorset’s NHS registered dental practices to investigate the situation. 74 dental practices responded, six did not respond because they were no longer treating NHS patients, and 19 did not respond, despite being called three or more times, and being sent a letter about the research.
Findings
- Only three of the 74 dental practices who responded were taking on new NHS adult patients, though six said they were taking on new NHS patients who were pregnant.
- Only four practices said they were taking on new NHS patients who were being treated for cancer. Another five said they would see people receiving cancer treatment, but only if they were referred and/or had additional needs, for example, a disability or diagnosed mental health condition, under the discretion of the dentist.
- Only 13 practices were taking on children as new NHS patients, and two of those only in emergencies. A further seven said they would see children, but only if their parents were registered as private patients.
- Only 18 (25%) of the dental practices that responded had a waiting list for NHS patients; 48 (65%) did not. Waiting times varied and some practices did not know when they would open their waiting list.
- 66 (49%) of dental practices reached were seeing existing patients for routine appointments.
Read our report
If you would like this report in a different format, email enquiries@healthwatchdorset.co.uk or call 0300 111 0102.
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Accessing NHS dental care in Dorset
