More than two thirds (68%) of patients mistakenly believe they have the right to register with an NHS dentist as they do with an NHS GP.
This is according to new research carried out by Healthwatch.
When asked about their preference for getting NHS dental care, more than half of respondents (54%) said they want to be able to register with an NHS dentist as a permanent patient in the same way as they can with an NHS GP.
One third of respondents (33%) said they had to wait longer for their NHS dental treatment than they wanted.
One in six (16%) said they had not been able to find an NHS dentist who would treat them, with 27% having to seek private care in the last two years.
Healthwatch England’s ongoing polling highlights how people continue to struggle to access NHS dental appointments.
The research also highlighted public confusion surrounding NHS dental fees.
- Younger people aged 18 to 34 and people from ethnic minority groups were more likely to believe they were charged more for dental care. They were also more likely to feel pressured to pay privately than other demographic groups
- One in five (20%) said they had difficulties finding information about NHS dental fees
- Similarly, 19% believed they were charged more than advertised NHS dental charges
- One in seven (15%) of people who had seen an NHS dentist in the last two years felt pressured to pay privately.
‘It’s clear NHS dentistry is not fit for purpose and that people want a new kind of solution – a GP-style system, which will allow them to register permanently with a dental practice to access ongoing appointments and check-ups easily.’
Louise Ansari, chief executive at Healthwatch England
New solution
Louise Ansari, chief executive at Healthwatch England, said: ‘This research is a stark reminder that people continue to struggle to access NHS dental appointments, as dentists routinely ditch working to the NHS dental contract.
‘There’s also confusion about the relationship between an NHS dentist and patients, with many patients mistakenly believing they can register with a dentist for life.
‘It’s clear NHS dentistry is not fit for purpose and that people want a new kind of solution – a GP-style system, which will allow them to register permanently with a dental practice to access ongoing appointments and check-ups easily.
‘It’s now vital that government consults with the public and dental leaders to determine what kind of dental system they’ll deliver to improve people’s oral health now, and for future generations.’
Dental access issues are also widespread in Scotland, where more than one third of Scottish adults reported having difficulties when visiting the dentist.
The most common problems were getting a suitable appointment (12%), treatment being too expensive (10%) and not getting treatment under the NHS (7%).
The total number of patients reporting problems has increased from 23% in 2021 and 20% in 2019. It has now reached its highest level since 2009, when the figure stood at 35%.
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