NHS leaving students in despair

NHS patients unable to find a dentist are being forced to go private or to carry out dental work themselves, according to a survey published by the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH).

The survey revealed that of 5,000 patients interviewed 78% felt they had been forced to leave the NHS and go private because their dentist stopped treating NHS patients, or because they could not fine an NHS dentist. Only 15% of private dental patients said they left because they believed they got better treatment.

Shockingly, 6% said they had treated themselves, including pulling their own teeth, as they were unable to get professional treatment. Many patients have claimed they treated themselves either due to cost, or because they could not find an NHS dentist in their area.

Official figures show that there are 4,000 more dentists with NHS contracts than there were a decade ago. However, this may be misleading as dentists are free to split their time between NHS work and private work.

Of 750 dentists questioned 45% are not accepting any more NHS patients and 47% do not offer all treatments to NHS patients.

In April 2006 a new NHS contract was introduced which aimed to make things simpler for patients and dentists. The new system consists of three NHS price bands:
1. £15.90 for an examination with x-ray and scale and polish (if necessary)
2. £43.60 for one to six fillings
3. £194 for crowns and dentures

Due to the NHS price bands, dentists receive the same payment for carrying out one filling as they would for carrying out six. Therefore dentists are less likely to accept NHS patients who need a lot of work done and many patients are being forced to go without.

Most University students are NHS patients as they are unable to afford private dental care.

The CPPIH survey has highlighted the problem NHS patients face. But for many students the problem with NHS dental care is all too familiar.

Within the survey a dentist commented, "We do not want to accept new patients who have a large amount of work to do as we do not get paid any more to restore a mouth requiring a large amount of work than a mouth requiring only one or two restorations."

Although some patients have the option to go provate when they cannot obtain treatment, students cannot afford such luxury on the small amount of money they receive as a student loan. Consequently they are often forced to go without vital dental care.