Cornish patients visit NHS dentist in Wiltshire - 200 miles away (2024)

FAQs

Cornish patients visit NHS dentist in Wiltshire - 200 miles away? ›

Patients have been travelling from Cornwall to get appointments at an NHS dentist in Wiltshire - 200 miles away. Dentalcare in Marlborough opened in November 2022 and has also been seeing patients from Sussex - 100 miles away.

Over the years, NHS dental services have grappled with a shortfall in funds, rendering it arduous for practices to meet their operational expenses. With resources stretched thin, many dentists find themselves grappling with the dilemma of accommodating new NHS patients while avoiding the specter of financial strain.

The NHS service finder on the NHS.uk website enables you to find local services, including dentists.

Are you struggling to find a dentist within Cornwall? There is a dentist helpline where your name can be added to the waiting list, this is 03330 063 300 – wait until the end of the recorded messages and then select option 3 to register for the waiting list or option 4 to speak to a member of the team.

People don't have to see their nearest or local dentist – the NHS website on How to find an NHS dentist explains that dentists do not have catchment areas. Someone looking for a dentist could try different areas that are convenient for them, such as near their place of work or study.

At the core of the UK's NHS dentistry crisis is a key economic principle. It seems simple but is devastating: the imbalance between high demand and too little supply. More patients need care. But, there are not enough NHS dentists to provide it.

If you've been unable to find a dentist and you want to raise your concerns about this, contact your local integrated care board (ICB). Integrated care boards (ICBs) commission dental services in England and are required to meet the needs of their local population for both urgent and routine dental care.

You do not have to pay for NHS dental services if you're: under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education. pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months. being treated in an NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist (but you may have to pay for any dentures or bridges)

If you are experiencing a dental emergency out-of-hours, then you should call the NHS 111 service, or use their online service. The telephone operator will point you to the appropriate care. You may need a face-to-face appointment or further treatment, so you will be directed to the right course of action.

In terms of trying to find an NHS dentist unfortunately the only option is to contact the NHS dental helpline on 0333 006 3300, select Option 3 to register for the dentist waiting list or Option 4 to speak to a member of the team, and wait as long as it takes to speak to someone.

Are dentists in the UK not accepting new patients? ›

Four in five (82.8%) dental practices in England are not registering adult NHS patients, while 71.1% are not taking on new patients under the age of 18. According to the Guardian, these figures result from the analysis of 4,969 of England's 7,000 dental practices by the Labour party.

Many people in the UK are waiting weeks or even months for a dentist appointment, and those who are not registered with a surgery are likely having trouble finding one that is accepting new NHS patients.

The primary distinction lies in the cost, range of options available, and the materials used. NHS dentures are more cost-effective and are a viable choice for many patients. However, some patients report issues with fit and comfort with standard NHS dentures, as cited on Dentaly.org.

The big difference between NHS and private dentists is the cost. NHS dentists charge a fixed rate for each treatment, regardless of the complexity of the procedure. Private dentists, on the other hand, charge higher fees, especially for more advanced treatments, but the quality of service tends to be much higher too.

You should feel properly informed before any treatment is undertaken, including about the clinical risks and benefits. Your dentist has to provide you with a written treatment plan for Band 2, Band 3 or a mix of NHS and private treatments. Your treatment plan sets out the proposed dental treatment and associated costs.

Four in five (82.8%) dental practices in England are not registering adult NHS patients, while 71.1% are not taking on new patients under the age of 18. According to the Guardian, these figures result from the analysis of 4,969 of England's 7,000 dental practices by the Labour party.

It states: 'NHS-funded dental services in England are in near-terminal decline: nearly six million fewer courses of NHS dental treatment were provided last year than in the pre-pandemic year; funding in 2021/22 was over £500m lower in real terms than in 2014/15; and there are widespread problems in accessing a dentist' ...

The repercussions have been particularly concerning for children's oral health, with 40% of the UK's youngest residents lacking access to routine dental appointments. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government introduced a reform to the UDAs in 2022, but dentists deemed it to be mainly cosmetic.