Patients Puzzled Over Dentists

COMPLAINTS about NHS dental treatment are on the rise and there is widespread confusion about access to dentists, a report claims.

A survey of primary care trusts (PCTs) for the Patients Association found widespread problems following the introduction of a new dental contract in 2006.

It sent questionnaires to the chairmen and dental commissioners of 150 PCTs in England and received 112 replies.

The report – The New Dental Contract – Full of Holes and Causing Pain? – found problems with funding, prevention work and patient experiences.

It said: “PCTs complain there is widespread lack of funds for orthodontics and other specialist treatments and cite this funding gap as the reason for not implementing best practice.

“There is increasing concern for the preventive role of dentistry in detection of oral health disease.”

Patients were found to be “confused about the new contract, new charges and NHS availability”.

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