Families spending thousands to fund private dental treatment amid NHS access crisis
Families are spending thousands of pounds to pay for private dental care because they cannot access NHS services, a BBC investigation has discovered.
A report by the BBC shows that across the UK, 90% of dental practices are not accepting new adult NHS patients and 80% have no NHS child places available. In some parts, the figure rises to 98% of practices, and in Devon, Lancashire and Norfolk, BBC researchers were unable to find any clinics taking on new patients.
As patients experience difficulties finding a dentist and making appointments for NHS care, some people are resorting to drastic measures. DIY dentistry is on the rise and patients who cannot afford private dental treatment are borrowing money to cover the cost.
Daniel, a patient from Shropshire, has been on a waiting list for over 3 years. He recently decided to pay £4,000 for his daughter to have braces because it couldn’t be funded on the NHS. He said that the cost had put “significant pressure on the family” adding that they were having to go without “fundamental things” to ensure that she got the treatment she needed.”
Another Shropshire patient, Natalie, was forced to go private after contacting several practices when she moved to the county. She quickly realised that there were no NHS places available in the area and has so far spent over £3,000 on tooth extractions for her daughter, who needed teeth removing before having braces fitted on the NHS.
The British Dental Association estimates that over 3,000 dentists have left the NHS or reduced NHS capacities since the start of the pandemic. This is contributing to shortages at NHS practices, making it more difficult to get appointments.
For more news click here.
Join this Discussion