The watchdog warned that even when people can get access to dental care on the health service, three fifths (61%) of people deem treatment too expensive. Healthwatch England conducted a review of 1,375 people’s experiences shared with its local teams and found that some people had been asked to wait for three years for an NHS dentist appointment, but were told that private care could be available within a week. People being increasingly prescribed antibiotics with no prospect of a follow-up appointment to actually treat the problem. Other patients have been told to use DIY filling kits while they wait for an appointment. Some who called NHS 111 seeking emergency dental care were told to “use salt water” and carry on calling practices until they could find help. Patients being asked to wait up to three years for appointments – or six weeks for emergency care. Repeated cancelled appointments – even midway through treatment.ĭentists have reported that they have thousands of people on their waiting lists, with some patients claiming they are unable to even get on a waiting list.ĭentists shutting down or going completely private. People removed from the practice list for not making an appointment sooner. Healthwatch England’s latest report on the state of dentistry, shared with the PA news agency, highlights a number of issues in affordability and access, including: Some practices appeared to be prioritising private care, it added. ![]() Delays have resulted in the worsening of painful symptoms and in one instance even led to a patient needing hospital treatment after overdosing on painkillers, it said.īut Healthwatch England said that some people are being offered swift private care as an alternative at the same dental practice, with some patients reporting that they felt pressured to pay for their treatment.
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