Peterborough patients left in pain as dental access worsens during Covid-19 pandemic

Dental surgeries were able to re-open in June if they were Covid-safe, but restrictions around social distancing, infection control, personal protective equipment (PPE) and hygiene means dentists can see only about a third of their usual daily appointments.

Healthwatch Peterborough says there has been a spike in calls to its Information Service from people trying to find an NHS dentist and get treatment.

Healthwatch is the independent champion for people using health and care. Its job is to listen to what people say about services and make sure this is heard and acted on by those running local services.

Nearly two years ago it highlighted a shortage of NHS dentists or dental nurses in the region – particularly in Peterborough and Wisbech - and significant problems with recruitment.

Now, there are added problems because of the pandemic. And, with limited capacity because of Covid, priority is going to people with emergency or urgent problems in line with national guidance.

Lack of dentistry for children is also an emerging problem, Healthwatch added

“People’s experiences do show a very mixed picture across our area,” Healthwatch communities programme manager Caroline Tyrrell-Jones said.

Healthwatch said it is sharing people’s concerns and frustrations about access and care with NHS England and NHS Improvement which commissions dental services locally, as well as the local dental committee which represents NHS dentists across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

“We are in regular contact and they are working on a new dental strategy for the East of England to try and improve things. We’re hopeful that a new approach can be found but, unfortunately, this isn’t going to happen in the short-term,” Caroline added.

One Peterborough resident told Healthwatch: “I’ve had no luck getting a dentist that accepts NHS patients. I have lost three teeth now - I just desperately need a dentist ASAP. My mum is willing to drive me anywhere I can get registered.”

Another said: “My partner is having trouble finding a dentist that takes on NHS patients. I had phoned around 15 dentists and no help.

“He has five teeth which are all wobbly and one is falling out. I had one dentist tell myself to let them fall out. I was not very happy.

“Please can you help as we don’t know what to do.”

Healthwatch advice for the public:

If you have pain, swelling or bleeding, call NHS 111 or use the online service to go through a triage. They will refer you to a NHS dentist if necessary.

To find a dentist taking on NHS patients you need to go through the list of dentists on the NHS website one by one. Please note that not all dentists keep their information up to date.

Dentists should not give you an NHS check-up then ask for you to pay privately for treatment which is available on the NHS.

Healthwatch is continuing to collect people’s feedback about NHS dental services as part of its Because We All Care campaign with the Care Quality Commission.

You can share your views online at https://www.healthwatchpeterborough.co.uk/share-your-views or call Healthwatch on 0330 355 1285.