Low Uptake Levels Of NHS Dentistry In London Revealed

Mon, 12 Nov 2007

London has one of the lowest uptake levels of NHS dentistry in the country, a new report has found.

The London Assembly report has revealed that the number of NHS dentists in London is 52 per 100,000 people, compared with a national average of 42 to every 100,000 people, but only 51 per cent of the city's population visited an NHS dentist between March 2005-2007.

In addition, the Teething Problems report also revealed that about 205,000 adults in London may never have visited a dentist .

As a result of the latest findings, The Health and Public Services Committee have recommended changes to the dental charge banding structure.

Joanne McCartney, chair of the Assembly's Health and Public Services Committee, commented: "The capital has one of the lowest uptake levels in the country and this is a serious public health issue."

"Left untreated, poor oral health can lead to serious health consequences such as tooth loss and infection," she added.

The report identified that the new charging scheme introduced in April 2006 may put off people from regularly going to a dentist and had also significantly increased some of the costs of treatment .

The report has advised Primary Care Trusts to improve publicity about local dentistry services, including charges and eligibility for free or reduced-cost treatment, in an effort to encourage more people in the capital to visit a dentist .

Chief executive of the British Dental Association, Peter Ward, added: "This report highlights the problems many Londoners experience trying to get NHS dental care ."

"The Department of Health must listen to the London Assembly and consider how it can revise the current NHS dental contract to build preventive care into the way the system works."
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