Young People visting Dental Hospital instead of registering with a Dentist
Research carried out by Liverpool Primary Care Trust has revealed that young people are visiting the city’s dental hospital as an alternative to registering with an NHS dentist.
Figures show that 6,000 patients visited the hospital for treatment last year. Hospital treatment costs the NHS far more than treatments carried out by NHS dentists, as emergency dental care in hospitals is free of charge and thus completely government funded. Patients are also avoiding regular check-ups and going to the hospital when they develop pain or other symptoms associated with oral health problems. The cost of dental care would be considerably cheaper for the NHS if dental patients attended regular check-ups and therefore lowering their risk of dental health problems.
It is believed that patients are favouring the dental hospital because treatment is available free of charge and you do not have to be registered to attend. Liverpool PCT is taking steps to encourage young people to register with an NHS dentist. The PCT has held focus groups with young people and the message from younger people in the city was that they did not feel the need to register with a dentist because treatment was free at the dental hospital and appointments were available all the time.
Anthony Leo, head of primary care commissioning, said that the consultation had confirmed that more people are using the dental hospital, which has a much higher cost ratio than NHS dental practices. The PCT is eager for people to use the hospital in emergency situations or when referred by dentists for specialist care. Patients should not use the hospital as an alternative to registering with their local dentist, as visiting a dentist on a regular basis will help to reduce the risk of oral health problems developing and this will save money for individuals and the NHS in the long-run.
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