Patient Satisfaction in Dentistry Increases amid Largest Decrease in Public Satisfaction in the NHS
Patient satisfaction in NHS dentistry has increased, despite a dramatic decrease in public satisfaction with the NHS.
Recent figures suggest that satisfaction with the NHS has dropped dramatically from 78 percent in 2011 to just 58 percent in 2010; however, satisfaction with dental services increased by 5 percent to 56 percent.
The report, which was compiled by the King’s Fund and involved 1096 people, revealed that patient satisfaction in GP services, emergency services and inpatient and outpatient care fell slightly, while satisfaction with dental services increased by 5 percent.
John Appleby, chief economist at the King’s Fund, said that the survey was important because it monitored public satisfaction with health services. He added that it was clear that year on year satisfaction increases were bound to come to an end, especially in times where the budget is increasingly stretched; however, he said it was worried that satisfaction rates had dropped so sharply.
In response to the findings, health minister, Simon Burns said that the most recent survey, which involved 70,000 people, indicated an overall satisfaction rate of more than 92 percent. He also added that the British Social Attitudes survey involves the general public, rather than those who have had experience of the NHS.
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