Dental patients in Bodmin and Plymouth facing a 60-mile trip for NHS treatment
New data from the British Dental Association suggests that dental patients in Bodmin and Plymouth are facing a 60-mile trip for NHS treatment.
The BDA has warned of a deepening crisis, as practices across the country struggle to fill vacancies and cope with rising demand for NHS appointments. A national survey, which was sent to practice owners, revealed that 75% of clinics have had difficulty filling vacant positions. The figure rose to 84% among those practices that offer NHS care. In 2016, the figure was just 50 per cent.
The primary aim of the NHS is to provide patients with access to affordable services in their local area, but the BDA has accused successive governments of failing to address recruitment issues, which has left many patients choosing between taking long trips to the dentist or paying for private dental treatment.
Cornwall and Devon are badly affected by a shortage of dentists, but the South West is by no means that only area experiencing problems. Currently, the NHS is encouraging patients based in Barrow-in-Furness to look for places in Whitehaven, which is a 90-mile round trip.
In light of the findings, the BDA has called for the government to take urgent action to respond to the recruitment crisis and increase the number of places available to NHS dental patients.
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