New Research Highlights Significant Variations in Dental Access Across Yorkshire
New research has highlighted significant variations in access to NHS dental services across Yorkshire.
Figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre show a considerable difference in the proportion of people visiting a dentist across the region. In Doncaster, 70 percent of adults in Doncaster saw a dentist in the two years leading up to April 2013, compared to just 52 percent in Bradford. 78 percent of adults in Hull saw a dentist, which was a stark contrast to just 48 percent in the neighbouring East Riding. Although this figure could be explained by people going into the centre of Hull for treatment, the degree of variation suggests that uptake is still relatively low.
The Oral Health Needs Assessment for Yorkshire and the Humber 2015 shows that rates of decay among the region’s youngsters are among the highest in the country. The region ranks third in England for rates among 5 year old children. Figures are also significantly higher than average for 12 year old children.
NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) recommends leaving no longer than 12 months between dental visits and most dentists advise patients to have a check-up every six months, so the figures are worrying. The fact that so many people are leaving it more than two years to see a dentist shows that many are putting their oral health at risk.
Adult figures are alarming, but perhaps even more worrying are the statistics relating to children. Nationally, only 60 percent of children saw a dentist, even though dental care is funded by the state and taxpayers. Figures in Hull were very encouraging, with 92 percent of children seeing a dentist, however attendance was much lower in Bradford where only 67 percent of children visited a dentist.
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