Public happy with NHS dentistry – new survey
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- Published: Monday, 08 May 2017 07:45
- Written by News Editor
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A recent survey has revealed that NHS satisfaction ratings have climbed to their highest since the 1990s for dentists. The analysis of the survey by the National Centre for Social Research's British Social Attitudes shows that the NHS dentistry satisfaction rating is up by seven percentage points to 61 per cent, the highest it's been since the early 1990s.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has welcomed the new data and urged dentists to take real pride in what they have achieved despite government indifference, sustained underfunding and the barriers presented by the target-driven 2006 contract that still remains in place.
"This profession can take pride in the fact that public satisfaction in NHS dentistry has hit a near 20-year high, in spite of chronic underfunding and discredited contracts," said BDA chairman, Mick Armstrong. “Trust between patient and practitioner is the foundation of effective healthcare. The 2006 contract inflicted a nearly fatal wound at the heart of the service, and this recovery has come off the back of hard work and in the face of government indifference."
On the flip side, however, children and vulnerable patients risk losing out on access to free NHS dental treatment as the government is failing to do enough, says the BDA. New polling shows that just 74 per cent of parents are aware that routine check-ups are free for children aged under 18.
Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen, the BDA's chair of general dental practice, said: "NHS charges exist to discourage patients from seeking dental treatment, and now appear to be delivering results even among those who don't need to pay. Nearly five million children are failing to attend at an NHS dentist each year and extractions are surging. The fact so many parents are simply unaware these check-ups are free of charge shows just how little energy the government is putting into prevention.”
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