People in England are struggling to get dental treatment, as dentists are close to new NHS patients, a watchdog says. Healthwatch England, the NHS body representing patients, said the problem was made worse by the rising cost of living and needed “urgent attention”. It said some people were living in pain, unable to speak or eat properly, because they could not find treatment. And it warned the poorest were suffering most as they were least able to afford to pay for private dentistry. Healthwatch England said the issue was creating a two-tier system – dividing the rich and the poor – and called on the government to take action. “There is now a deepening crisis,” said Louise Ansari, of Healthwatch England. “With millions of households bearing the brunt of the escalating living costs, private treatment is simply not an option – and even NHS charges can be a challenge.
“This needs urgent attention.”
The government said it was increasing investment in services to improve access as well as looking to reform the system. And a spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care added ministers were “committed” to addressing the issues as part of the levelling up agenda. Ryan Herrmann is in constant pain. One of his fillings fell out two years ago, during the first lockdown.
Dentists were closed during the lockdown, so he soldiered on. Eventually, the pain became too much and he went to emergency service and was given a temporary filling. That filling later fell out, however. But when dental services were fully open again, he could not find an NHS dentist in the area willing to accept new patients. He had recently moved to Wiltshire from London and had not had the opportunity to register at a new practice. “Tooth pain sends you mad,” he said. “You feel irritable, can’t relax and are constantly on edge. I’m angry – really angry. “If I had the money I could afford private treatment next week. It feels like we’re being told, if you’re poor -you’re not worthy of treatment.”
The British Dental Association said there had been inadequate funding for NHS dentistry for the past decade, calling the current contract “dysfunctional”, as it provided an insufficient reward for treating patients. BDA chair Shawn Charlwood added: “Shameful inequalities are set to widen. For over a decade this service has been running on empty, with patients paying more just so the Treasury can pay less. “Choices made by the government mean dentists are now walking away from the NHS.”
