Devon NHS dentist waiting list doubles in a year

A report published today by Healthwatch Devon found patients with NHS dentists waited longer and were less satisfied with their care than patients who had private treatment.

Healthwatch Devon regularly hears that accessing an NHS dentist can be difficult. So, they carried out a brief survey across Devon to find out peoples experiences of dental care. It also found that one patient travelled 27 miles (43km) to see their dentist.

NHS England South West issued an extract from the dental commissioners saying:

“Dental access has become more difficult in many parts of Devon and an increasing factor has been difficulties providers of NHS services have been experiencing recruiting and retaining dentists.

"In the last 18 months the number of dentists applying to fill vacancies has fallen significantly and many practices across Devon and Cornwall have reported having no interest from dentists for some vacancies. This has resulted in practices running at reduced clinical capacity and unable to fulfil their NHS contract and look after as many patients as they would if they were at capacity.

"Practices across Devon have reported difficulties with recruitment, this includes practices in Barnstaple, Northam, Exeter, South Brent, Torrington, Okehampton, Tavistock, and Tiverton. This is not a situation which is restricted to the southwest and is being seen in other parts of the country.

It is disappointing to see the feedback from patients about the quality of NHS treatment – the national GP patient survey which has a section about dental care and in the most recent survey 84.3% of those surveyed reported they had a positive experience of dental services.”