WITH getting a dentist appointment becoming harder and harder, Warrington and Halton hospitals have diagnosed nearly 1,400 patients with tooth decay over the past three years, a new investigation has revealed.
Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust runs two hospital sites with more than 30 community hubs and facilities across the Halton and Warrington boroughs.
Figures obtained by Public Interest Lawyers show that 1,393 patients had a diagnosis of tooth decay during their spell at these hospitals since 2021.
Those suffering from dental problems should be treated at their local dentist with regular appointments to avoid severe situations, yet with many dentists not taking on new patients, people are turning up to A&E in their tens of thousands.
According to the BBC and the British Dental Association (BDA), 90% of dentists across the UK are not taking on new NHS adult patients, and many refuse to see a child unless a parent is signed up as a private patient.
In 2021/22, the number of patients diagnosed with tooth decay in Warrington and Halton hospitals stood at 471.
A year later, this number decreased to 399, which is the lowest number of patients diagnosed with tooth decay over the three-year period.
The past year has seen a jump in patients diagnosed with tooth decay and related issues, standing at 523.
Tooth decay is the biggest primary cause of NHS hospital admissions for children in England aged between 5 and 17, as 40% of children no longer have access to regular dental appointments.
Between April 2022 and May 2023, 30,000 children and more than 70,000 adults in England were admitted to A&E with tooth decay.
Many places in the UK are now considered to be ‘dental deserts’, where 100% of dentists are not taking on new patients.
Public Interest Lawyers also obtained the figures on how many patients diagnosed with tooth decay, or dental issues were aged between 5 and 17.
In 2021/22, there were 42 patients aged 5-17 before this figure dropped to 30 a year later.
The number of under-18 patients then increased in 2023/24, with the total being 50.
Labour’s analysis of patient survey data suggests that 4.75 million people across England were denied an appointment with an NHS dentist in the past two years.
Figures show millions of people were either told no appointments were available or that the practice they contacted was not taking on new patients.
Public Interest Lawyers offers free advice and support to anyone who has suffered harm due to dental negligence.
They operate a 24-hour helpline and claim online form, which you can access on their website.
Commenting on the findings Lydia Hughes CEO of Healthwatch Warrington said: “Unfortunately Dentistry is a national issue currently. Healthwatch Warrington are currently gathering public feedback and experiences as one of our priorities this year ‘Dentistry feedback from Children under 5’s’. Warrington residents can complete our online survey, or contact us via our website www.healthwatchwarrington.co.uk to share their experiences with us.
“Our final report will be shared with Warrington Place partners.”
