Low numbers visiting dentist ‘alarming’

Only two-fifths of adults in Haringey saw an NHS dentist within the recommended time of two years, according to new data.

Figures from NHS Digital reveal just 40.3% of adults in the borough saw a dentist during the 24 months to June this year – down by more than ten percentage points since 2018/19, when the figure was 50.5%.

Fewer than half of children in Haringey (48.1%) saw an NHS dentist in the recommended two-year period. Although this marks an improvement on the previous year’s figure of 33.9%, it is down from three-fifths (60.6%) in 2018/19.

Dental care was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, with dentists told to close for routine procedures and provide only urgent treatment in March 2020. Although the number of patients seeing NHS dentists is now increasing, it has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Across England, the number of adults seeing an NHS dentist within the recommended two-year timeframe dropped by 9.5% compared with the previous year.

Reacting to the figures, the British Dental Association (BDA) urged ministers “to step up and deliver much-needed reform and fair funding for NHS dentistry”. BDA chair Eddie Crouch said: “What we’re seeing isn’t a recovery, but a service on its last legs. The government will be fooling itself and millions of patients if it attempts to put a gloss on these figures.”

After what it called a “decade of savage cuts”, the BDA estimates it would take an extra £880million a year to restore resources to 2010 levels.

Recent research by the BBC revealed nine in ten dental practices said they were unable to take on new adult patients in the NHS. According to the report, published in August, some people are pulling out their own teeth and resorting to other do-it-yourself treatments because they are unable to find affordable care.

In NHS North Central London, which covers five boroughs including Haringey, there were 58 dentists per 100,000 people in 2021/22, which is higher than the England average of 43.

The NHS Digital report covers “high-street dentists” and work undertaken by dentists under vocational training. It does not cover dental services provided privately or work undertaken in hospitals.

A spokesperson for the NHS in London said: “Access to dental services has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and a plan to restore services to full capacity is in place.

“Most dental practices are now fully open and able to safely provide a full range of treatments, however many still have to prioritise patients who are in pain or require urgent treatment.”

Sharon Grant OBE, chair of Healthwatch Haringey, said: “These alarming figures for Haringey just confirm what people are telling us – that they are finding it harder and harder to exercise their right to be treated by a dentist on the NHS. For far too many in our borough paying for private care is just not an option, and the consequences are both painful and disastrous for their long-term dental health.

“It is particularly shocking that children are not getting the regular attention they should have as they grow up. A child with tooth problems will face difficulties in eating, sleeping and learning at school, and we already know that the number one reason for young children being admitted to hospital is tooth extraction. This is shameful.

“An urgent plan is required to address the availability of NHS dentistry in our borough.”

The Department of Health and Social Care was approached for comment.