NHS Dentistry: Access Matters
- Healthwatch West Berkshire
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Many people across England are finding it harder than ever to access NHS dental care.
New analysis from the Nuffield Trust shows that around 1 in 10 NHS dental practices have stopped providing NHS care since 2017, with approximately 600 practices leaving NHS dentistry during that period. The proportion of practices offering NHS dental services has fallen from around 65% to 56%.
At Healthwatch West Berkshire, we know this reflects the experiences many local people share with us. Residents tell us they struggle to find dentists accepting new NHS patients, face long waits for appointments, or feel they have little choice but to seek private treatment.
Good oral health is essential to overall health and wellbeing, and access to dental care should not depend on where you live or what you can afford. The Nuffield Trust warns that dentistry is increasingly becoming a two-tier system, with access varying significantly across the country.
This is why patient feedback is so important. By listening to local experiences, we can help decision-makers understand the real impact of access challenges and advocate for improvements that meet the needs of our communities.
At Healthwatch West Berkshire, we will continue to champion the voices of local people and ensure their experiences help shape the future of health and care services. We are monitoring the Find a dentist - NHS service, and liaising with the ICB to ensure this service is kept up to date and we can only do this with your help.
Tell Us What's Happening.
Have you struggled to access an NHS dentist in West Berkshire? Have you used the 'Find a Dentist website?
We'd like to hear from you. Your feedback helps us identify issues, highlight good practice, and influence positive change.
Call Us: 01635 886210
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