Dental patients are being forced to travel up to forty miles to get treatment or facing large bills for private care because they are struggling to find clinics locally, according to a consumer watchdog. Healthwatch England warned that patients are finding the situation frustrating and many of them are being ‘deregistered’ due to missed appointments – even if there is valid reason for their absence.
The watchdog added that some dental clinics may be providing tooth extractions rather than more invasive treatments like fillings or root canals, to avoid complicated work. Healthwatch England described the situation as ‘simply not acceptable’.
A statement from the consumer body added that there are further concerns that some patients are being forced to visit a private dental hygienist in order to maintain their registration status with certain clinics. Healthwatch Bolton reported that they had been contacted by patients that were struck off their dentist’s register because they missed an appointment, even with a reasonable excuse, such as accompanying a relative to hospital.
Anna Bradley, Chairwoman of Healthwatch England, said ‘We hear a lot in the news about people struggling to access their GP’s but it would seem getting an appointment with an NHS dentist is even more frustrating.’
Dr Barry Cockcroft, NHS England’s chief dental officer, said that practices are not allowed to deregister patients, adding that ‘Anyone told this should use the practice’s complaint system.’