Fall in NHS dental use (From York Press)

Fall in NHS dental use in North and East Yorkshire

9:19am Saturday 20th August 2011 in News

FEWER then half of adults in North and East Yorkshire are receiving dental treatment from the NHS, according to new report.

The study, published by the NHS information centre, highlights regional differences within Yorkshire when it comes to the number of patients going though the doors of NHS dental surgeries.

Since 2006, when one-in-ten practices in the UK withdrew free treatment following the introduction of a controversial Government contract, fewer than half of residents in North Yorkshire, including York and Selby, have used an NHS service.

There has also been a fall of 10.6 percent in the number of children attending surgeries since 2006, in the region, along with a 3.5 per cent fall in the adult figure.

In East Yorkshire, the number of adult patients seen was even lower though there had been an overall increase of 8.1 per cent in NHS patients being treated in the region, over the period.

The figures are in stark contrast to other regions in Yorkshire, such as Doncaster, which have seen NHS uptake, on average, well above 70 per cent since 2006.

NHS North Yorkshire and York, the primary care trust responsible for commissioning dental services in the area said it operated a waiting list for people who wanted to be assigned a local NHS dentist.

Dr Phil Kirby, interim director of public health at NHS North Yorkshire and York, said: “Don’t put off going for a check-up at the dentist. Detecting problems early can mean they’re easier to treat. If problems are not treated, they may lead to damage that is harder, or sometimes impossible, to repair.”

A Department of Health spokesperson said: “Access to NHS dentistry is improving, but we know more needs to be done.

“The Government is committed to improving access to NHS dental care and making high quality dental services available to everyone.”

“We are reviewing the current dental contract and changes that might support this and are talking to the profession and patient groups for their views.”