One fifth of patients who tried to book a dental appointment during the past year failed to do so, according to new data.
In addition, the majority (67%) of respondents said they currently had a regular dental practice for their dental care. However, three in ten (30%) did not have a regular dental practice.
The statistics were revealed by the General Dental Council (GDC), which has published the latest research on public views and experiences of UK dental care.
Some key findings include:
- Higher proportions of young people, those from ethnic minority backgrounds and those living in urban locations experienced access issues compared to other groups
- Of those with a regular practice, 61% agreed with the statement ‘my dental practice has become more expensive’
- Almost three in ten (28%) of those cutting back on essentials agreed strongly that they will only book a dental appointment in an emergency, compared to only 13% of those not cutting back
- Around 6% of all respondents had received dental care outside the UK in the last year. The most common reason was cost, with people having treatment outside the UK because it was cheaper.
The report also analysed complaints from the public. A minority (7%) of respondents had previously made a complaint about a dental professional.
More than half (53%) of those who had made a complaint said that if the exact same situation as led to their complaint were to happen now, they would be more likely to complain about the dental professional.
Dental appointment access issues
Respondents were also asked about how they would rate UK dental care overall.
Just under one fifth (18%) of respondents rated the state of UK dental care between one and three. However, when rating their own experience, only 6% rated it between one and three.
In total, half (50%) the respondents rated dental care in the UK as a whole, lower than they rated their own experience.
The report conclusion reads: ‘Overall half of all respondents rated dental care in the UK, as a whole, lower than they rated their own experience of care.
‘The research findings indicate that there are increasing access issues (particularly in terms of NHS care). Health inequalities and affordability concerns are also very apparent.
‘These issues are affecting current public and patient experiences and behaviours, and they are having an increasingly negative impact on confidence in the sector.’
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