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Many 'cannot get NHS dental care' Many 'cannot get NHS dental care'
(about 1 hour later)
Many NHS dental patients in England are being forced to pay for private care, go without treatment or even pull out their own teeth, a survey suggests.Many NHS dental patients in England are being forced to pay for private care, go without treatment or even pull out their own teeth, a survey suggests.
The survey of 5,200 patients for an NHS feedback body found 20% had refused treatment because of high cost and 6% had treated themselves at some point.The survey of 5,200 patients for an NHS feedback body found 20% had refused treatment because of high cost and 6% had treated themselves at some point.
Most of those going private said they could not get NHS treatment locally.Most of those going private said they could not get NHS treatment locally.
Dentists said the 2006 NHS contract had not made access easier but ministers argued it had brought improvements. Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said patients unable to find a dentist to treat them should visit their GP.
Of 750 dentists polled, 84% said the contract had failed to improve access to NHS services for patients. Of 750 dentists polled, 84% said their new contract, introduced in 2006, had failed to improve access to NHS services for patients.
About a quarter of patients who took part in the survey by the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health said they used a private dentist.About a quarter of patients who took part in the survey by the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health said they used a private dentist.
The picture it paints, of patients unable to access care, dentists struggling with the target-driven system and anxieties about the new charging system, is an all-too-familiar one Susie Sanderson British Dental Association Send us your commentsThe picture it paints, of patients unable to access care, dentists struggling with the target-driven system and anxieties about the new charging system, is an all-too-familiar one Susie Sanderson British Dental Association Send us your comments
The majority said they paid for dental care privately because their dentist had stopped treating NHS patients or they could not find an NHS dentist in their area.The majority said they paid for dental care privately because their dentist had stopped treating NHS patients or they could not find an NHS dentist in their area.
Some 15% had gone private because they thought they would receive better care than on the NHS.Some 15% had gone private because they thought they would receive better care than on the NHS.
Half of patients, whether NHS or private, were confused about dental charges, with some saying they had taken out loans to cover the cost of treatment.Half of patients, whether NHS or private, were confused about dental charges, with some saying they had taken out loans to cover the cost of treatment.
And 6% said they had treated themselves because they were unable to get professional treatment.And 6% said they had treated themselves because they were unable to get professional treatment.
These included one patient from Lancashire who said they had removed 14 of their own teeth with pliers and others who said they had used glue to fix broken crowns.These included one patient from Lancashire who said they had removed 14 of their own teeth with pliers and others who said they had used glue to fix broken crowns.
ReformsReforms
A new contract for dentists was introduced in April 2006 and was meant to tempt more dentists to work in the NHS by moving away from the "drill and fill" culture under which they had to maximise the number of procedures they carried out.A new contract for dentists was introduced in April 2006 and was meant to tempt more dentists to work in the NHS by moving away from the "drill and fill" culture under which they had to maximise the number of procedures they carried out.
Of the dentists questioned as part of the survey, almost half are not accepting any more NHS patients.Of the dentists questioned as part of the survey, almost half are not accepting any more NHS patients.
And 58% believe quality of care has deteriorated since the introduction of the contract.And 58% believe quality of care has deteriorated since the introduction of the contract.
Sharon Grant, chairwoman of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health, said many patients were being let down "very badly".Sharon Grant, chairwoman of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health, said many patients were being let down "very badly".
Under the new system, if a dentist leaves the NHS, the local PCT will re-invest the funding to bring in new dentists Department of HealthUnder the new system, if a dentist leaves the NHS, the local PCT will re-invest the funding to bring in new dentists Department of Health
"It appears many are being forced to go private because they don't want to lose their current trusted and respected dentist or because they just can't find a local NHS dentist," she said."It appears many are being forced to go private because they don't want to lose their current trusted and respected dentist or because they just can't find a local NHS dentist," she said.
"Where NHS dental services are available, people are happy with the quality of treatment provided but many find the NHS fee system confusing and expensive, with some patients taking out loans to pay for treatment or more worryingly taking matters into their own hands.""Where NHS dental services are available, people are happy with the quality of treatment provided but many find the NHS fee system confusing and expensive, with some patients taking out loans to pay for treatment or more worryingly taking matters into their own hands."
Susie Sanderson, executive board chairwoman at the British Dental Association, said: "The picture it paints, of patients unable to access care, dentists struggling with the target-driven system and anxieties about the new charging system, is an all-too-familiar one.Susie Sanderson, executive board chairwoman at the British Dental Association, said: "The picture it paints, of patients unable to access care, dentists struggling with the target-driven system and anxieties about the new charging system, is an all-too-familiar one.
"The new contract has done nothing to improve access for patients and failed to allow dentists to deliver the kind of modern, preventive treatment they want to give.""The new contract has done nothing to improve access for patients and failed to allow dentists to deliver the kind of modern, preventive treatment they want to give."
But a Department of Health spokesperson said 21,000 dentists were providing NHS services and the survey reflected a very narrow view of NHS dentistry.But a Department of Health spokesperson said 21,000 dentists were providing NHS services and the survey reflected a very narrow view of NHS dentistry.
"Under the new system, if a dentist leaves the NHS, the local PCT will re-invest the funding to bring in new dentists," she said."Under the new system, if a dentist leaves the NHS, the local PCT will re-invest the funding to bring in new dentists," she said.
"Patient charges are now easier to understand - with just three bands of treatment instead of 400 differently priced items."Patient charges are now easier to understand - with just three bands of treatment instead of 400 differently priced items.
"There is also a reduction in the highest charges from £389 to £194.""There is also a reduction in the highest charges from £389 to £194."
Ben Bradshaw, the health minister, said it would take the government "some time" to deal with the shortage of dentists - but he said the idea of a golden age of NHS dentistry was a myth. Mr Bradshaw said it would take the government "some time" to deal with the shortage of dentists - but he said the idea of a golden age of NHS dentistry was a myth.
He said: "Only 60% of us ever accessed an NHS dentist. The figure now is 56%.He said: "Only 60% of us ever accessed an NHS dentist. The figure now is 56%.
"We want eveybody who wants to see an NHS dentist to do so. We have to train more NHS dentists, which we're doing. He also argued that there was no need for anyone to resort to pulling their own teeth out.
"We have got 4,000 more than we had in 1997, but I entirely accept that in some parts of the country it is still really difficult." "Last year we introduced for the first time a duty on local health services, on the primary care trusts, to provide urgent dental treatment to those who need it.
"If people need urgent treatment they should go either to their GP or the primary care trust and demand what is their right."