Access To NHS Dental Care Remains A Problem In Surrey

Mon, 07 Feb 2011

Dental patients in Surrey are still suffering from a lack of NHS dentists, according to a new report.

Papers presented to the board of NHS Surrey, which is responsible for healthcare provision across the county, revealed that the primary care trust (PCT) is still 10 per cent short of reaching its target of providing dental care to half of the population of Surrey (around 600,000 people) by 2013.

Commenting on the report, Jonathan Perrott, primary care dental commissioning lead at NHS Surrey, said that the trust was "not confident" it would achieve its 2013 target, but argued that it did not mean access to dental care in the region was poor.

"While we have made significant progress, we know we still have some way to go," he said.

"We will, of course, do everything we can to improve the position and make sure people know NHS dental capacity is available but we need to be realistic about what is achievable."

"For example, we know many people in the county choose to access private dental care and will continue to do so."

"What is important is that there is NHS dental capacity and we have got dentists who are able to see new NHS patients now."

Surrey residents looking to sign up with an NHS dentist can call the Surrey dental helpline on 0845 271 2040.
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