NHS dentistry - how it is for our people
"A person I support in Harrogate has significant dental problems. They can’t find an NHS dentist who can help with his teeth."
Many people in North Yorkshire are finding it hard to get the dental care they need. This is because it's not easy to access, and it's often too expensive. This has been one of the main issues people across the county have been telling us about over the past few years.
We have increasingly heard from people most affected – those who are not already on an NHS dental practice list – experiencing difficulties in finding an NHS dentist accepting new patients.
A growing problem
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a backlog of patients needing treatment, a shortage of trained staff, and a shift towards private treatments. This, in turn, has created obstacles for those seeking NHS dental care.
Rural, deprived, and vulnerable communities in North Yorkshire are significantly impacted by limited resources and isolation due in part to the county's low population density and sparse access to services. Only eight towns have populations exceeding 10,000, and the overall population is spread thin across a large area. With over 615,000 in North Yorkshire, this equates to 76 people per square mile. This is significantly lower than the English average of 430.
The population is ageing with the number of people aged 65 and over across Yorkshire and the Humber is predicted to grow by around third between by 2040 (Source: Office for National Statistics).
Problems getting dental care have led to many people living in pain. In some extreme cases people have resulted to ‘DIY dentistry’.
I'm unable to find a dentist. I resorted to pulling my own teeth out. I have already pulled three of them out - and about to pull the fourth.
What progress has been made?
Since April 2023, dental contracts have been managed locally by the integrated care boards. In North Yorkshire, we have two - the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, who cover Craven.
Dental contracts are how the NHS organises and pays for NHS dental treatment. The NHS pays dental practices to provide NHS dental treatment to patients through a contract.
Some dental practices do both NHS work and private work. There’s still a need for more changes to the contract to solve the problems. Healthwatch England has also called for action on this.
More money is there for dental practices taking on new NHS patients, but feedback has shown that there hasn't been much improvement in how easy it is for new patients to access NHS dental care.
People still aren't happy, and they're saying they’re still needing treatment. We have called for the NHS to make sure that the find a dentist website is correct and up-to-date. This is important as it is the only way of both decision-makers and the public know how many dentists are accepting NHS patients in North Yorkshire.
We have worked hard to make decision-makers listen to all of the issues people are telling us. We want to make sure accessible and affordable dental care are top priorities for decision-makers as they have a chance to make a difference.
"I am a disabled woman in her 60s, who has a liver condition coupled with mobility issues.
My teeth are in a dreadful state, l haven’t seen a dentist for around six years. At the moment l am not in pain, however, l have broken teeth, and two front teeth that are going rotten. I strongly suspect that these issues are due to my now completed steroid treatment, as my gums were very swollen and painful whilst taking the drugs.
I was registered with a dentist in Caterick, however during COVID-19 they disappeared. Due to my age and health conditions, l didn’t try to get a replacement as l was self isolating, however, l now need to locate a dentist who is prepared to take me on.
I live in Snape, near Bedale in North Yorkshire."
Story shared with Healthwatch North Yorkshire
