Mid Sussex patients struggle to get urgent dental appointments
Patients in Mid Sussex are struggling to get urgent NHS dental appointments, according to local newspapers.
A number of people have contacted reporters to raise concerns over the availability of emergency dental care in the area. Rosemary Wheeler, 70, got in touch with The Argus after being unable to see an emergency dentist last year. Both Mrs Wheeler and her husband needed treatment but they were turned down by at least fifteen practices in and around Burgess Hill due to a lack of available places.
The couple’s story is not unique, and there have been reports of patients finding it difficult to see a dentist, even when they are experiencing severe pain and complex dental issues. In the end, Mr Wheeler paid £650 for private treatment because he was unable to cope with the pain and discomfort any longer.
NHS England confirmed that there had not been a reduction in funding for dental services in Sussex and indicated that additional temporary NHS contracts have been awarded to increase capacity and enable more patients to see local dentists.
Mims Davies, MP for Mid Sussex, said that she had highlighted the problem numerous times and is working with health chiefs to try and improve the situation in the area. She has been contacted by several constituents in a similar situation to the Wheeler’s and has called upon NHS England to increase capacity to tackle backlogs and reduce waiting times. At present, there are restrictions in place, which limit patient numbers, and teams are working tirelessly to provide treatment for priority patients.
The situation in Mid Sussex is representative of issues across the UK caused by the pandemic, increasing demand for treatment and a shortage of dentists.
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