Eddie Crouch: NHS Dentistry Has "Effectively Ceased To Exist" For New Patients
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- Published: Thursday, 17 October 2024 09:40
- Written by Guy Tuggle
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The British Dental Association (BDA) has expressed alarm at a batch of new statistics which show that 97% of ‘new patients‘ seeking an NHS dentist are unable to secure an appointment.
Whilst messaging from the BDA since the new government took office in July has been encouraging in terms of there being constructive discussions between the profession and ministers, the Association is now stressing that ’the new government must move at pace to rescue the struggling service.’
The Office for National Statistics Experiences of NHS healthcare services in England shows 96.9% of those who do not have a dentist and who tried to access NHS dental care were unsuccessful.
The data lands as more than 100 people are reported as queueing as early as 2.30am just to get a place at an NHS dentist in Warrington, echoing the chaotic scenes from Bristol in February, and in Leigh and Kings Lynn last year.
Delving into the statistics reveals that of those who failed to secure care, 11% were recorded as going private, 1.6% reported going to A&E and 1.1% reported going to their GP.
Medics are neither trained nor equipped to provide dental treatment and patients who present with dental issues at hospitals cost the NHS significantly more than the copst of treating them within a dental setting.
Alarmingly, 78.5% of those unable to access the service ’did nothing’, which the BDA warns will only lead to greater expense and patient distress.
Of those who tried to access NHS dentistry, but did not have a dentist, 33.5% reported having an urgent need for NHS care, with 21.3% stating they were in pain.
The BDA has welcomed the tone set by the new Government, who accepted that NHS dentistry is ‘broken’, and stated that closing the oral health gap – particularly where children are concerned – represents a “moral crusade. ’Urgency and ambition are now required’ a BDA statement states.
In September a Report into the NHS by Lord Darzi concluded that "If dentistry is to continue as a core NHS service, urgent action is needed to develop a contract that balances activity and prevention, is attractive to dentists and rewards those dentists who practice in less served areas."
Commenting on the ONS figures as news reports showed patients once again forming lengthy queues outside practices, Eddie Crouch, Chair of the BDA said “This is a reminder that for new patients NHS dentistry has effectively ceased to exist. We will keep seeing desperate scenes outside dental practices the length and breadth of this country until we see real reform.”
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