Working to make access to an NHS dentist better
NHS dentistry is in desperate need of reform and this year we have been pushing for NHS dentistry to be moved up the political agenda, so it is easier for people to find a dentist taking on NHS patients.
In 2022, we published a report that highlighted the detrimental impact the oral health crisis is having on both the mental and physical health of adults and children across North Yorkshire.
Through the 80 case studies we gathered we found many people have been forced to pay for private treatment where they can afford it or take drastic actions, from using do-it-yourself tooth kits to pulling out their own teeth. The findings also revealed how the oral health crisis is further exacerbating health inequalities amongst the population.
Dental access and oral health continue to be one of the subjects that we hear most about from the public. Accessing an NHS dentist still remains a challenge for many people, and one that is affecting people’s health, wealth and happiness.
Dentistry - what you told us
Recent stories shared with Healthwatch North Yorkshire:
"I have pulled out four of my own teeth and number five is getting to stage it’s going to come out. I don't want to leave the house."
"My NHS dentist recently turned private. I pay a monthly membership, they was told ld have to pay for a filling repair which would cost £100 more than their monthly mortgage payment."
"I moved to Catterick Garrison - and it's a five-year wait to see an NHS dentist."
Making improvements
NHS England gave responsibility for planning and organising NHS dental services to your integrated care board back in May 2023. They are a statutory NHS organisation, responsible for developing a plan for meeting your health needs.
The NHS and the Government published a plan in February 2024 to improve NHS dentistry, setting out a new focus on prevention and good oral health in young children, and an expansion of the dental workforce.
People continue to tell us that when they try to register with an NHS dentist, they are told there is no availability, but they could be seen as a private patient. However, many cannot afford this. Evidence from across North Yorkshire tells us that people on low incomes, children and women, have particularly found it difficult to get an NHS dental appointment. But your feedback is helping to change things.
The power of your feedback so far
- The findings from our report, along with work by other local Healthwatch across England, influenced £50 million extra funding from NHS England to support NHS dentistry.
- NHS dental practices were asked to complete a survey from NHS England to make the case for new dental services by providing up-to-date information on unmet patient needs and workforce capacity.
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NHS dentists will be given a ‘new patient’ payment of between £15-£50 (depending on treatment need) to treat around a million new patients nationally who have not seen an NHS dentist in two years or more.
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Dental vans will help deliver dental treatment to people in rural and coastal areas, including North Yorkshire. We don't yet know where or when these will be available. Local Healthwatch will let you know about these as soon as we hear.
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New NHS dental practices have been opened in Scarborough, Whitby, Helmsley and Thirsk.
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We have contributed to a new Government Health and Social Care Committee enquiry into dentistry following a national survey that showed 90% of dental practices across the UK were not accepting new adult NHS patients. MPs will consider to what extent the current NHS dental contract puts off dentists from taking on new patients. They will look at what incentives can be offered by the NHS to recruit and retain dental professionals, and explore the possible impact and role that the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board will play in the delivery of dental services.
Dentistry remains a priority
We have continued to champion dentistry as a priority area and have met with the dental lead for the NHS in North Yorkshire, as well as the dental public health consultant to discuss the need for radical change to the provision of service. As a result of these discussions we have been invited to join an oral health advisory group, which is leading on the development to make things better.
We share your experiences with those people in charge
We’re a member of the Humber & North Yorkshire Local Dental Network where we regularly present to the group the experiences of people. Issues such as not being able to access an NHS dentist, having to travel long distances to access a dentist, having to pay for private care and the impact on children’s oral health all came out as problems across the region.
