READING is a dental desert with patients unable to access NHS services, according to The Green Party.
The NHS’ find a dentist service lists the nearest site for a check-up is in Bracknell – but the Greens say they tried to book an appointment at this surgery only to be told it was not accepting new NHS patients.
In response, the main opposition party on Reading Borough Council has launched a petition calling for action from the government to make it easier for people to access universal health care options rather than being forced to go private.
It was launched, the party says, after it learnt that from September, Castle Hill dentists will no longer serve NHS patients. Reading Today has contacted the surgery, but has not had a response to verify this claim.
The party says the NHS website’s entry for some dentists in Reading is: “This dentist surgery has not given a recent update on whether they are taking new NHS patients. You can contact them directly to ask.”
But when they called each of these dentists none were taking on NHS patients.
Some have an entry saying that they will accept NHS patients by referral. This is for specific services like sedation so a treatment can be carried out. They are not accepting new NHS patients for checkups and other treatments.
Research by Healthwatch last year revealed 54% of people who had an NHS dentist appointment, had a problem. Of these, nearly two thirds (63%) of respondents found it difficult to book an appointment, and more than three in ten (31%) couldn’t access all the treatments they needed.
There were also concerns over the cost of treatments, even NHS ones.
In November, the government announced a shake-up of the way it pays dentists for NHS services, which it hoped would improve the situation. As part of the changes, it also required dentists to rgeularly update the NHS’ find a dentist service.
Health Minister Neil O’Brien said: “I am determined to make sure everybody seeking NHS dental care can receive it when they need it.
“Our new contract rewards dentists more fairly for taking on high needs patients and delivering treatments to those who need it most.
“It will not solve all the problems overnight, but it will help improve access and ensure the system supports dentists and their teams.”
But the Green Party says its research show no dentists in Reading are taking on new NHS patients, so the government’s plan is not yet working.
Campaigner Kate Nikulina is petitioning Reading Council to lobby the Integrated Care Board, government and come up with a plan to address this issue.
“Reading is a dental desert. Too many Reading residents can’t get an NHS dentist,” she said.
“People are left in pain or if they are lucky enough to be able to afford it with having to pay a large private dental bill in a cost of living crisis. Children and others entitled to free dental care aren’t able to get it.
“This Conservative government has been asleep at the wheel over NHS dentistry and as well as taking local action Reading Council should lobbying the government on this issue.
“Please sign the Green Party petition for Reading Council to lobby the Integrated Care Board, government and come up with a plan to tackle the dental desert that Reading has become.”
The petition can be signed here: https://bit.ly/dentistpetition
