Bradford Residents Urged to Participate in Survey About Local NHS Dental Services
A health watchdog is encouraging people in Bradford and the surrounding area to participate in a survey about local dental services.
Healthwatch Bradford and District has launched a new survey to try and learn more about NHS services in the local area. Manager of the organisation, Andrew Jones, said that the aim of the survey is identify potential barriers to access to NHS dental services in the area and encourage people to share their experiences of services currently in place in the area.
Studies suggest that standards of oral health are poor in Bradford compared to the national average and Healthwatch Bradford and District is eager to improve rates of decay and other oral diseases in the future by identifying issues such as poor access to dental services.
Access to NHS dentists is a problem that has been highlighted in the area previously. Recently, local MP Judith Cummins raised the issue in the House of Commons, asking the Prime Minister what the government is planning to do to improve access to services in areas like her constituency of Bradford South.
One local resident who was interviewed by the local newspaper said that she had tried to register with a practice in the area several times, but had failed and as a result, her children have not seen a dentist for more than 3 years. Although her name is down on waiting lists for several surgeries, none have called to say that they have space for her or her children.
Another resident, Joanna from Wibsey, shared a similar experience. After four and a half years of being on waiting lists, she has finally been able to register with a dental practice, but will still have to wait until July for an appointment.
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