Healthwatch England has published new research into people's understanding of NHS dentistry and what they want from the service as the government develops its ‘Dental Rescue Plan’.
Key points:
Over two-thirds, 68%, of respondents mistakenly believe they have the right to register with an NHS dentist as they do with an NHS GP.
When asked about their preference for getting NHS dental care, over half, 54% of 1,791 respondents 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.
As the government develops its ‘Dental Rescue Plan’, Healthwatch England is calling for fundamental reform of NHS dentistry to give the public a right to register with a local NHS dentist and access ongoing check-ups and appointments.
NHS dental contracts
People lost their right to register with an NHS dentist in 2006 when a new NHS dental contract was introduced to pay dentists per 'unit of dental activity' rather than getting paid per person registered on a list of permanent patients, combined with set fees for each treatment delivered.
The contract means a dentist has no long-term obligation to see patients on the NHS unless they are undergoing active treatment or dental work already carried out is under guarantee.
The contract is unpopular with dentists, with many cutting back NHS work and leaving people without NHS appointments, often with little warning.
Access crisis continues
Healthwatch England’s polling shows people continue to struggle to access NHS dental appointments, despite the previous government’s efforts to improve access by introducing a new incentive payment for dentists.
A third, 33%, of respondents said they had to wait longer for their NHS dental treatment than they wanted.
One in six, 16%, said they hadn't been able to find an NHS dentist who would treat them, with 27% of those having to seek private care in the last two years.
Confusion about dental charges
As well as being confused about 'their right' to an NHS dentist, the research suggests people are also unclear about NHS dental charges.
The poll found:
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.
Younger people, 18-34, and people from ethnic minority groups were more likely to believe they were changed more for dental care. They were also more likely to feel pressured to pay privately than other demographic groups.
Healthwatch England's recommendations:
NHS dentistry should be reformed to give everyone a GP-style right to be permanently registered with a dental practice to get both preventative and urgent care throughout their lifetime.
The public should be consulted on any proposals being considered for long-term reform of NHS dentistry.
The new patient payment introduced for dentists from March 1, 2024, should be evaluated and any findings published.
Dental practices should clearly communicate to people what they need to do to be maintained as an NHS patient.
Public awareness of how the NHS dental system works should be improved, to help people consider or plan for alternative sources of care if their practice chooses to stop providing NHS care.