Darlington Council health committee to discuss dental access issues
Darlington Council’s Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee is set to discuss local dental access issues.
Councillor Eddie Heslop has put together a dossier of reports, stories, emails, social media comments and messages from residents to get an insight into the current situation. Mr Heslop reached out to local people via social media and email to encourage them to share their experiences of dental services in the area.
Large parts of the North East have been branded ‘dental deserts’ due to dentist shortages and a lack of NHS providers accepting new patients.
While collecting responses from the public, Cllr Heslop found that people were finding it virtually impossible to see an NHS dentist. Some residents said that they had resorted to DIY dentistry, including pulling teeth out at home, and many parents suggested that their children had to cope with severe pain. Many had tried to get an appointment outside of the town and some had even considered travelling overseas.
The findings of Cllr Heslop’s research will be passed to councillors and health officials at a meeting of the Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee.
Talking about the experiences shared by local people, Cllr Heslop said that it was “absolutely amazing” that people are having to resort to treating themselves “in this day and age.” Many people who responded via social platforms said they had been trying to join a practice or get an appointment for several months or even years and some had decided to have treatment abroad while on holiday to save money and avoid waiting.
For more news click here.
Join this Discussion