Weekly Poll – Dental Care

Each week Disability Equality Scotland sends out a poll question to our members on a topical issue and for the week beginning 13 March 2023, we asked our members about access to dental care in Scotland. Please note that this is a snapshot of the views of our membership and does not reflect the policy stance of Disability Equality Scotland. If you plan to reference the findings featured in this report, please contact us in advance so that we are aware of this.

Results– 106 respondents

In the last year have you been able to access NHS dental treatment in Scotland?

• Yes- 62%
• No- 38%

Comments

Privatisation

Respondents recognised that there are longer waiting times to receive NHS dental care as a result of an increase in dental practices going private. This makes it difficult for patients to get dental appointments and treatment unless they can afford to pay privately.

“I have diabetes and I am grateful for being able to access the dentist that I have. But I have noticed when I have been there recently, there is more and more NHS patients who cannot get an NHS dentist trying to get registered. They have to be told to wait for a couple of months and try again as they are full to capacity. This is not the fault of my dentist, but others in the area just going private. Something needs to be done!”

“I only managed to access an emergency dental appointment. I’ve been waiting since 2020 to register but the dentist has been unable to register anyone new and I am in need of dental care again. I called to book another emergency appointment and was told I may get one an hours drive away from me which I can’t access, so I’ve been left without access to dental care and the damage it has caused to my teeth is becoming a big issue but I have no choice but to wait and hope.”

“In Ayrshire a lot of dentists have automatically deregistered patients also.  Other dentists in the area are telling NHS patients that they will not be treating NHS clients for routine check-ups until 2024.”

“Access to NHS Dentist services is sporadic and the waiting times can be lengthy. Trying to even access emergency services are also extremely limited. Personally, I have not seen a dentist for some time as even the option for private dental service is expensive and not easily available.”

“My practice has now closed. I am unable to register at another practice in Dumfries and Galloway and as I’m a pensioner I can’t afford private care.”

Impact of COVID-19

Respondents reflected on the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to dental care. Due to cancellations, this resulted in a backlog of patients waiting for treatment.

“I had a number of dental issues over Covid and was unable to access a dental practice. When I called around local practices for my new issues, they sadly told me they had a moratorium on new patients. Since those limitations have ended, I’ve had a lot more stuff going on and haven’t been able to call-around local businesses in the same way, so I still have not been seen for issues which appeared in early 2020.”

“I have been unable to see a dentist since just before the Covid pandemic and as a result my teeth are now in a mess as I have lost fillings and have broken 2 teeth. I also have a couple of loose teeth as the result of the drugs I am on affecting my gums.”

“My daughter due to her disability attends local hospital dental services. Since COVID the dental services have been suspended, no check-up. Luckily, she has not required any emergency treatment.”

“Although I have managed to get an appointment, I had to go to the surgery to get them to find my details. It looked as though my name had been deregistered, but they eventually discovered my details in a different file.  The two years of Covid restrictions derailed services and caused much confusion.  I wonder if this was the case for able bodied patients or just disabled?”

Some respondents who are immunosuppressed, stated that they do not feel safe in receiving dental treatment as they believe there are inadequate safety measures in place at present.

“We are unable to take up our regular appointments because of flu and Covid-19 risk. We are inmmuno-compromised, chemical intolerant and intolerant of many medications and cannot tolerate a Covid or flu vaccine because of ingredients. For many complacent people, the pandemic is over, which it is clearly NOT! For us, laying there, unmasked for even a few minutes makes us extremely vulnerable! We have NO protection once we remove our respirators.”

“No treatment, because they are unable to make the clinic safe for me in terms of my disabilities, supressed immune system and risk of contracting COVID.”

Accessibility of Dental Practices

Some respondents noted that they are unable to access NHS dental care due to physical barriers in their local practice. Concerns were also raised regarding links to transport.

“I had been struck from the records for my old practice because it was wheelchair inaccessible, and I hadn’t attended.”

“Having been registered with local practice I have had a regular yearly check-up. Wheelchair access is difficult – very heavy doors that won’t stay open by themselves and at the top of a steep ramp – I need someone with me or I need to catch the eye of the reception staff.”

“It has been difficult to get to the dentist, not because of COVID-19, but because of the lack of transport and problems with Motability.”

“My practice for NHS treatment does not have very good links to public transport so I sometimes have to rely on family to me there.”

Positive Experiences

In contrast to concerns raised, some respondents shared positive experiences of NHS dental treatment.

“We telephoned on a Monday and got an appointment on the Tuesday. My wife had an appointment on a Monday morning and got an emergency extraction later that day, so our experience is very good.”

“I have been able to access my dentist for my routine check-ups as well as dental treatment such as my replacement fillings. I was also referred to the NHS Dental Hospital in Glasgow as the dentist was worried about something that he saw on my tongue which resulted in a biopsy. This turned out to be benign but did lead me to getting my replacement fillings and bot upper and lower splints for night time. So, in short, I have not had any issues with accessing my dentist.”

“My dentist is absolutely wonderful and seems to be working more or less to normal.”

Conclusion

Respondents shared their experiences of accessing NHS dental care, where it was recognised by some that there are increasing waiting times for treatment due to NHS practices being privatised. As a result, some people are going with out dental care as they are unable to afford it or find another practice in their community that offers NHS treatment. There was also recognition of the impact of COVID-19 on delays to treatment, with people who are at high-clinical risk feeling unsafe to attend appointments. Some people are unable to access dental care due to physical barriers and lack of suitable links with public transport.

 

 

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