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Sorry, we're full, say surgeries

Michelle Dhillon
9/ 8/2004

A MANCHESTER Evening News reporter rang 30 Greater Manchester dentists in an attempt to register as an NHS patient.

Twenty-one practices said their lists were full.

One had more than 100 people on the waiting list and another said they had stopped registering patients three months ago because of demand.

The remaining nine dental surgeries said they could register new patients for NHS treatment, but there would be a wait from three weeks to four months for an appointment.

One practice charged patients a refundable deposit of '5 to stop people signing on at a large number of different surgeries and jamming the waiting lists.

Another said they would only decide if a patient could be registered after a check-up but would not explain what effect the check-up would have on the decision to take the patient on to the list.


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Most recent 2 of 2 user comments

   What is going on. I went to my dental surgry and was told I could not have treatment because I havn't been for 15 months. I will not go unless I need to because I do not want to take up the funds that should be treating people who need the treatment. I am now in the predicument that I have no front tooth(it has broken off) and can't find a dentist anywhere that will treat me. I have phoned all available dentist that the nhs direct has given me and more besides,but non is taking new patients on. WHAT IS GOING ON. I am now a single parent and have worked since I left school,but cannot get the treatment I require. I'm gonna have to wait for at least 5 weeks with a dentist to get a examination and by that time could lose my front tooth. My "dentist" has told me that they will treat me privatly but it will cost me in execess of B#300 and that's just for the immediate treatment.
julia platt, manchester
14/07/2005 at 01:43

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   Traditionally there has always been less than 50% of the adult population registered with a Dentist, so that fact that it is being reported as such is no surprise. Many of the current problems being faced by patients are due to a number of practices moving to the private sector resulting in more patients wishing to register with an NHS dentist.

The government is implementing changes to stem this move to the private sector by changing the way in which dentists get paid. These changes like all changes will take time to be fully effective. However, not all the blame can lay at the door of the dentist. Don't we as individuals have some responsibilty to ensure that our oral health is maintained. Many people have not been to the dentist in over 5 years. If people were to improve their own oral health by reducing sugary snacks and drinks and by more regular brushing of teeth with flouride toothpaste, we might not see so many people waiting until the onset on pain before seeking the help of professionals.
Anon, Manchester
9/08/2004 at 22:34

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