Patients in the Harrogate district are feeling the “catastrophic impact” of the dental crisis on their overall health, according to a new report.
Healthwatch North Yorkshire, the NHS body representing patients, is demanding a task force be set up to address the crisis in the county’s oral health due to a lack of NHS dentists.
The report outlines the impact of not being able to access an NHS dentist on the lives of more than 80 residents in the county, including Harrogate.
‘Urgent reform’
The watchdog said the issue needed “urgent reform”.
Ashley Green, chief executive officer at Healthwatch North Yorkshire, said:
“The case studies presented in this report reiterate the severe issues facing people across North Yorkshire. To hear the drastic measures people have resorted to after not being able to access an NHS dentist is harrowing.
“The financial impact, the impact on people’s mental health and on people’s physical health – these case studies reiterate the disaster people across our county are facing.
“Urgent reform is needed, and we urge that something is done now — before the situation gets even worse.”
Read more:
- Investigation: ‘Shocking’ waits for NHS dentists in Harrogate district
- Watchdog report: Just one NHS dentist per 10,000 people in Harrogate district
A Harrogate case study detailed how one patient suffering gum pain called 10 dentists, both private and NHS, and offered to pay privately, but was told none were taking either NHS or private patients.
They said:
“I called 111 and was told to go and see my dentist, I explained I didn’t have a dentist and was told it was difficult at the moment.
“The pain was worsening so I ended up taking paracetamol, codeine and ibuprofen, spaced out at regular intervals. I again called 111, and only when I said I was now taking three types of painkiller did they take notice.
“They said a dentist would call me at around 7.30am next morning, so be up and ready to go. No phone call until 1.30pm telling me to go to a practice in Harrogate the next morning. I went and was seen for a couple of minutes, confirming that I had a gum infection. The dentist prescribed antibiotics, which did clear up the infection.
“My complaint is that dentists are not bound to give a person in pain help. I have heard this complaint from quite a few friends now, surely they should be duty bound to see emergency cases.”
The recommendations outlined in the report include:
- • Establishing a dental task force for North Yorkshire that tackles the underlying issues identified in this and previous reports.
- • Adopting a collaborative approach to addressing the dental crisis across the Humber and North Yorkshire region to ensure the commissioning of services meets the needs of the wider population.
Nationally, Healthwatch England has led calls for a radical rethink of NHS dentistry and it will be announcing its next steps over the coming weeks.
The government said it was increasing investment in services to improve access.
Acute problem of NHS dentists
Last year, the Stray Ferret revealed that just two Harrogate district NHS dentists were accepting patients but both had a waiting list of at least two-and-a-half years.
The investigation revealed how acute the problem of dental care is for people on low incomes in the district, with one councillor describing the situation as “shocking”.
Meanwhile, a review of NHS dentistry published in August 2021 found that found there was just one NHS dentist practice per 10,000 people in the district.
Healthwatch North Yorkshire is calling for people to share their views and experiences of health and social care, by visiting our website, calling 01423 788128 or emailing admin@hwny.co.uk.