Dental Access Problems Highlighted in Norfolk and Suffolk
Investigations by the local press in Norfolk and Suffolk have revealed access issues related to NHS dental services in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Reporters rang around several dental practices in the region to ask about the availability of appointments. The vast majority had significant waiting times. They surveyed more than 100 dentists and most were able to offer an appointment, but not until much later in the year. One practice advised a reporter to call back in April next year if they wished to make an appointment.
In response to the findings, dentists said their hands are tied because of the dental contract under which they work. The current contract is currently under review and limits the number of patients seen during a year. Once a clinic hits its limit, it is unable to take on more patients.
Nick Stolls is a dentist and secretary of Norfolk Local Dental Committee. He expressed sympathy for patients struggling to see a dentist, but also asked the public to be aware that dentists are not to blame. He described the contract as a “shambles” and added that the situation was frustrating for dentists too.
Reporters used information from the NHS Choices website to contact 140 practices. They found that 67 clinics were not accepting new patients, 65 were not accepting patients who received treatment free of charge (for example pregnant women) and 55 were not taking on new child patients.
In contrast, most of the private surgeries contacted were able to offer appointments within the next few weeks.
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