Parts of Cumbria have become a dental desert, with no NHS places available
Large parts of Cumbria have become a dental desert, with no NHS adult places available.
The local press has reported that none of the sixty NHS or mixed practices in the county are currently accepting new NHS patients, with only one offering NHS provision for children. Carlisle, Workington and Whitehaven are among the worst-affected areas.
Cumbria had dental access issues before the pandemic, but the situation has deteriorated in the last two years. Some NHS dentists have left the profession, retired or switched to private care, there are huge backlogs to tackle and the demand for appointments has increased.
MPs debated the issue of NHS dental access in the House of Commons in June. Many shared stories from constituents who were on waiting lists or had attempted DIY dentistry because they couldn’t get appointments. Some had pulled their own teeth out or travelled hundreds of miles to see a dentist. There has also been an increase in A&E visits and NHS 111 calls related to dental problems.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has accused the government of failing to address shortfalls and implement changes to the NHS contract and suggested that NHS dentistry is on the precipice. Shawn Charlwood, from the BDA, said that “urgent reform and adequate funding” were required to “halt this exodus” of NHS dentists.
Figures from North Cumbria CCG show that the number of UDAs (units of dental activity) fell by a third from 2018/2019 to 2021/2022. During the second quarter of the period, routine treatments, known as band 1 services, decreased by 46%.
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