The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers.
Every Citizens Advice Bureau is a registered charity reliant on trained volunteers and funds to provide these vital services for local communities.
Millions have difficulties accessing an NHS Dentist |
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Millions of adults in England and Wales haven’t been to an NHS dentist since April 2006 mainly because they couldn’t find one to treat them, says new research carried out for national charity Citizens Advice as it urges Primary Care Trusts to spend newly allocated resources to improve access. The Ipsos MORI survey found that lack of access is the most common reason cited by people in England and Wales for not seeing an NHS dentist since April 2006, along with not needing treatment. It was mentioned by 31% of respondents in England and Wales who have not been to an NHS dentist since April 2006. This is the equivalent of approximately 7.4 million people who have not been to an NHS dentist since April 2006 because of difficulties in finding one. Of these, the equivalent of approximately 4.7 million have sought private treatment instead and the equivalent of approximately 2.7 million have gone without treatment altogether. The research also reveals that the problem is more evident in the South West (53%) and the North West (39%). Citizens Advice Chief Executive David Harker said:
Case studiesA CAB in Cornwall reported a client who rang the helpline saying he was prepared to travel anywhere in the county to find an NHS dentist. He was told no dentists in Cornwall were currently taking on NHS patients, and was put on the waiting list with no idea how long he might have to wait. The same bureau reported a client on a low income who had to travel by both bus and train, stretching his limited finances, to the nearest NHS dentist for an emergency appointment. Delays in public transport meant he was 15 minutes late and was turned away and told he would have to book another slot at 8.30 am the following day. A CAB in North Yorkshire reported a pensioner on a low income who needed emergency dental treatment in hospital. They advised her she would need further treatment and would need to find an NHS dentist. There were two available in the area but both have 12 month waiting lists. A CAB in Hampshire rang the helpline on behalf of a client and her disabled husband who wanted to find a dentist. They found that the nearest dentist with NHS capacity is now – approximately 17 miles away with no public transport to get there. One year ago the closest NHS dentist was – approximately 10 miles away. Notes to editors:
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