COST and the coronavirus pandemic are the two key reasons why more than half of adults in Worcestershire have not been to a dentist in the last two years, according to a city dental practice and residents.
New figures from NHS Digital show 208,118 people aged 18 and over were seen by a dentist or orthodontist in Worcestershire in the two years to the end of December – just 44 per cent of the area’s adult population.
And 34,285 Worcestershire youngsters were seen in 2020 – down from 70,212 the year before – meaning just 29 per cent of county children went to the dentist last year.
After we published the figures readers took to social media to have their say on what could be happening.
Gilly Erica said: “My 90 year old mom broke her denture just before Christmas and was told this wasn’t a critical appointment.
“She is finally being seen on Monday as the dentist has only just started taking non-emergency appointments this month.”
Jean Wilson said: “The cost puts people off - I know it’s cheaper on NHS but often a long wait.”
Grant Preece said: “There are not enough dentists to cope with the amount of people and it’s expensive.”
Jen Myers said: “We are in the middle of a pandemic so the last 12 months has been a 'weigh it up' kind of situation, so I can understand why. I only ever went to the dentist once a year anyway so lets maybe write 2020 and 2021 off.”
Kate Wilkinson said: “For me that’s because my last appointment was in 2019, next was due last year - pandemic.”
Steph Maeers said: “They won’t see anyone.”
Chris Bennion said: “I’ve tried. Three appointments cancelled due to Covid. Only emergency treatments being done.”
Dan Weaver said: “The reason I haven’t been is because of Covid, no dentist will even look at you unless it's an emergency.”
A spokesman from St John's Dental Practice, in Malvern Road, said they were keen to stress they were still open for check ups.
“We are inundated at the moment,” the spokesman said.
“We are trying to have capacity so that we can take on new NHS patients as well - at the moment it is April for new NHS patients.
“There is a huge need for more NHS dentists in Worcestershire, some people just can’t afford private. We stayed open (in the first lockdown) as one of the urgent dental care centres. We saw more than 1,000 patients during the first lockdown.
“We have been trying to provide treatment to NHS patients, we never closed. We are trying to encourage our patients back - there has been a misunderstanding, our own patients are calling daily to ask if we are open, or is it just for emergencies. There is a big effort to let people know we are doing check ups.”
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