Care home manager says it’s impossible for residents to access NHS dentistry
The manager of a care home in Essex says that it has become impossible for residents to access NHS dental services.
Liz Wynn, from Southminster Residential Home near Maldon, said that she cannot find NHS dentists who are willing to visit the home to provide dental care for residents. She has fought for several years to get regular dental care for the elderly but rather than improving, the situation has got worse.
A report compiled by a health watchdog revealed that 25% of care home providers are struggling to gain access to local dental services for residents. This is a significant increase from 6% of providers in 2019.
Ms Wynn blamed a shortage of dentists for the problem, with NHS dentist numbers falling. There are no community dentists able to visit care homes, meaning that residents can’t get the treatment they need, she explained. She has written to the government in the past but said that access for care home residents has been an issue for a decade now.
Representatives from NHS Mid and South Essex said that a number of measures and initiatives are currently under review to boost access for people who cannot leave their homes.
The trust took over responsibility for commissioning services in April 2023 and stated that it is committed to ensuring that every patient, including residents in care homes, can see a dentist. Urgent advice is available via NHS 111 for individuals who don’t have a dentist or cannot get an emergency appointment.
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