Thousands In North Yorkshire Without Access To Dental Care

Mon, 21 Feb 2011

More than 9,000 people in parts of North Yorkshire are waiting to have their teeth checked by an NHS dentist, according to new data from the NHS .

The figures released earlier this month by NHS North Yorkshire and York showed that 9,297 people were on a waiting list to see an NHS dentist in York and Selby.

In rural parts of the county, however, the data revealed that no one was waiting for dental care provision, while in Harrogate only 465 people were on a waiting list.

Lorraine Naylor, assistant director of strategy for NHS North Yorkshire and York, said: "Unfortunately we didn't have anyone who was suitable to win a tender in York and Selby; however, the good news is that they're going out to tender again."

She also explained that waiting list figures can sometimes be inaccurate as some patients apply directly to a dentist for a place and fail to inform the NHS when they have secured one, meaning they remain on the waiting list.

John Renshaw from the British Dental Association said "mismatches" sometimes occurred between those on waiting lists and those actually needing dentists .

He commented: "What is causing the trouble here is a mismatch between the provision and a waiting list and I think the PCT [North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust] should get this waiting list sorted out, it's not being handled as well as it should be."
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