Do you have access to an NHS Dentist?
Dentists are to get cash for new patients under plans to boost dentistry across England.
Around a million people who have not seen a dentist for two or more years are expected to benefit as officials offer a “new patient payment” of £15 to £50.
The plans, which are expected to boost dental appointments across the country by 2.5 million next year, will also see patients able to view which local dentists are accepting new NHS patients at the touch of a button.
Under the plans, set out by NHS England and the Department for Health and Social Care, people will be able to use the NHS app to see which practices in their local area are accepting new patients.
Access to NHS dentistry has been one of the main concerns highlighted to Healthwatch England.
People have told the patient champion organisation that they have struggled to find up-to-date information about practices taking on new NHS patients.
Healthwatch said that as a result patients have lived with ongoing pain and in extreme cases, patients have resorted to “DIY dentistry” such as pulling out their own teeth.
The Commons Library research shows how the rise in “dental deserts” has left people struggling to get an appointment, with some areas now having over 3,000 people for every NHS dentist. 65 of 104 local areas in England have seen the number of people per dentist rise since 2019, the figures show.
One in four people are delaying or going without NHS dental treatment because of its rising cost, the British Dental Association (BDA) has warned.
Access to NHS dentists has become increasingly difficult in recent years. According to a report by the British Dental Association, there has been a significant reduction in the number of NHS dentists, with many practices struggling to recruit and retain dental professionals. This has led to longer waiting times for appointments, particularly for routine check-ups and non-urgent treatments. Furthermore, the cost of NHS dental treatment has also risen, putting it out of reach for many people who cannot afford private dental care.
So, what are your thoughts on this issue? Do you have access to an NHS dentist? Should everyone have access to NHS dentistry? Have you experienced longer waiting times or rising costs of dental treatment? Have you resorted to DIY dentistry?
