Lack of NHS Dentists in Somerset

Over the last three months, 35% of all the feedback we have received about health and care services came from people who couldn’t find an NHS dentist in Somerset.  Many were parents trying to find an NHS dentist for their children, pregnant women, or people who are on benefits who cannot afford to pay for private dental care.

What people have told us

Here are some examples of the feedback we’ve received about dental care in Somerset.

• “I’ve been on the NHS website for dentists and phoned six different dentists, but they all say they are not excepting new patients.  I’m not registered with any dentist, but need to see one now as I have an extremely loose eye (canine) tooth and a wobbly front tooth.  It seems my only option is to go private, but I can’t afford this being a carer on minimum wage.”

• “I’ve been trying to get my two year old son into an NHS dentist.  I’ve typed my postcode into the NHS Website to see which ones are local and have rung nearly every single one of them, and not one of them are taking on any new patients.  My son missed out on an appointment last year when he started getting his teeth due to Covid, and now I can’t get him in anywhere.  I think it is appalling that they are telling me that I will have to go private.”

• “I am 65 years old and only have my bottom teeth and two have fallen out now and the other teeth are loose.  I have trouble eating and talking, and need to see a dentist as I’ve got gum disease.  I am on universal credit and can’t afford to pay privately, and I think it’s a disgrace that there aren’t any NHS dentists.”

• “We’ve been registered as a NHS patient at our dental practice for several years, but we’ve been notified by the practice that they have withdrawn from offering NHS services, meaning we either have to pay for private treatment or find an alternative NHS dentist.  After contacting numerous dentists in our area we’ve not been able to find one that is taking new NHS clients.  This means that we are now without any dental care service.”

• “I’m pregnant, and can’t find an NHS dentist accepting new patients.  I’ve tried ringing several in the area and further afield.  The ones on the NHS website which say they are NHS have a waiting list, but it’s two and a half years long!  I’m very worried about going private as I haven’t been to a dentist in a while, and if something major is revealed, how will I afford the private fees?”

• “I am looking for an NHS dentist.  I am on benefits and disabled my son is my full-time carer.  I was discharged from my previous dentist as I hadn’t had an appointment in over two years.  I have a severe fear of dentists and this was during Covid, and I am clinically extremely vulnerable so couldn’t go then.  I am now without a dentist and despite ringing every dental surgery I’ve been told they are only taking on private patients.  My teeth are in an awful state and I am now struggling to eat, they are causing sores and cuts within my mouth and tongue, as they are essentially crumbling away.”

What to do if you need urgent dental care

If you have an urgent or emergency dental condition and don’t have an NHS dentist, you can call the Somerset Dental Helpline on 0300 123 7691, and you will be triaged to access the urgent dental care service.  Unfortunately, this only covers emergency work, and you will then have to find a dentist to complete the work.

Healthwatch calls for dental care reform

In October 2021, Healthwatch England co-signed an open letter addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for a recovery plan for NHS dentistry.  You can read the letter here.

In December 2021, Healthwatch England published a report on what people have told them about NHS Dentistry.  They called, once again, for the Government and NHS England to speed up dental reform and provide significant and sustained funding to tackle the underlying problems of dental access and affordability.  The report shows that between 2019 and 2021 there was a reduction of 17% in adults and 42% in children who were seen by an NHS dentist.  (Read more: Recovery of NHS dental care too slow to help thousands left in pain | Healthwatch.)

On 24 January 2022, Darren Jones, MP for Bristol North West (Lab) bought up a debate in Parliament about the lack of NHS dentists, as many of his constituents have told him how difficult it has become to find an NHS dentist – read the debate here.

On 25 January 2022, it was announced by NHS England that there will be £50 million new funding made available to secure 350,000 extra NHS dental appointments until the end of March in England.  Children, people with learning disabilities, autism, or severe mental health problems will be prioritised – read more here. The South West will receive £4,726,000 of this funding, and NHS teams will use the money to increase capacity amongst local dentists by offering NHS appointments outside of core hours, such as early mornings and weekends.

While this new funding and the focus on supporting vulnerable people is welcome, Healthwatch England and the local Healthwatch network will continue to call for wider reform due to the “deeper and more systemic challenges in the dental sector that have been laid bare over the last two years… after this dreadful pandemic.”

Where can you go for support?

If you are unhappy about not being able to find an NHS dentist in Somerset you can contact your local MP to let them know how this is affecting you.  You can also contact NHS England to make a complaint.

We will continue to record people’s feedback and share this with those who are responsible for providing dental care in Somerset, as well as Healthwatch England.  Get in touch to share your experience.