Five thousand people waiting to see dentist

9:15am Wednesday 18th July 2012 in Local

FIVE thousand people are unable to access an NHS dentist in Bolton — 3,000 more than just 18 months ago.

Health bosses scrapped a central waiting list in April and people must now contact their nearest NHS dental surgery for an appointment.

But thousands of people still do not have an NHS dentist and patients can expect at least a three-month wait for an appointment.

Since January, health chiefs have ploughed £50,000 into reducing Bolton’s waiting list, which then stood at 7,000 people, with an average waiting time of eight months.

Now the remaining 5,000 have been contacted by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which has taken over health services in the borough from NHS Bolton.

They were told to contact their local dentist to be added to individual lists. A recent report by the CCG placed access to NHS dentistry at “red risk”, meaning a poor standard.

Health chiefs claim scrapping a central waiting list is more efficient.

But Peter Moss, chairman of the Local Dental Committee in Bolton, said until government policy was changed, there would be dental problems in Bolton and the rest of the UK.

Mr Moss, who runs Moss Dental Care in Bury Road, Breightmet , said: “The waiting list had been running for some time and clearly wasn’t working.

“The fundamental problem is the government contract that was set in 2006 and that we will have until 2015.”

Mr Moss says the contract means there is a greater incentive for dentists to keep on existing patients rather than taking on new ones. He added: “The situation is completely and utterly ridiculous.”

As there is no longer an overall central waiting list for Bolton, anyone trying to get an appointment can go online to NHS Choices and type in their postcode, where they will see a list of NHS dentists.

An NHS Bolton spokesman said: “Since clearing the list, it was felt it would be more efficient for dentists to manage their own waiting lists in future, as this would facilitate faster patient access.

“It was also felt that, by allowing patients to contact a dentist of their choice directly, it would reduce the number of people who do not attend appointments after making them.

“One of the reasons for these people not attending was the additional level of bureaucracy that the waiting list caused under the previous system.”

The spokesman said more funding to improve access to services was available for the current financial year.

Comments (22)

10:21am Wed 18 Jul 12

oftbewildered says...

referring to yesterday's news item of an increase in our population - this is one good example of why we cannot accommodate more residents. You cannot treat dental health lightly - bad teeth and gums can lead to all sorts of other problems.
referring to yesterday's news item of an increase in our population - this is one good example of why we cannot accommodate more residents. You cannot treat dental health lightly - bad teeth and gums can lead to all sorts of other problems. oftbewildered

10:27am Wed 18 Jul 12

Reality50 says...

I have been waiting over 3 years to get on the books on an NHS dentist.There are no available places in Farnworth whatsoever and I have tried every local NHS dentist including Great Lever and Kearsley.What's even more depressing is I have an NHS practice 250 yards from me yet it takes patients from as far as 5 miles away yet locals are denied access.We are told by Bolton NHS to ring Lever Chambers on the first day of every month between 9-10am and they will give us a list of the dental practices with available spaces.As soon as 9am comes on the first day of each month the phone number is engaged and if you are lucky to get through they tell you there are no spare places in your area.That has been the same in my area for 3 years.It's time NHS dental practices only allowed patients from within say 1.5-2miles of that dental practice to be on their books.It isn't fair people in the vicinity of NHS dental surgeries can't use them yet people come in from miles around to get dental treatment.
I have been waiting over 3 years to get on the books on an NHS dentist.There are no available places in Farnworth whatsoever and I have tried every local NHS dentist including Great Lever and Kearsley.What's even more depressing is I have an NHS practice 250 yards from me yet it takes patients from as far as 5 miles away yet locals are denied access.We are told by Bolton NHS to ring Lever Chambers on the first day of every month between 9-10am and they will give us a list of the dental practices with available spaces.As soon as 9am comes on the first day of each month the phone number is engaged and if you are lucky to get through they tell you there are no spare places in your area.That has been the same in my area for 3 years.It's time NHS dental practices only allowed patients from within say 1.5-2miles of that dental practice to be on their books.It isn't fair people in the vicinity of NHS dental surgeries can't use them yet people come in from miles around to get dental treatment. Reality50

11:40am Wed 18 Jul 12

MsMooseGirl says...

Reality50 wrote:
I have been waiting over 3 years to get on the books on an NHS dentist.There are no available places in Farnworth whatsoever and I have tried every local NHS dentist including Great Lever and Kearsley.What's even more depressing is I have an NHS practice 250 yards from me yet it takes patients from as far as 5 miles away yet locals are denied access.We are told by Bolton NHS to ring Lever Chambers on the first day of every month between 9-10am and they will give us a list of the dental practices with available spaces.As soon as 9am comes on the first day of each month the phone number is engaged and if you are lucky to get through they tell you there are no spare places in your area.That has been the same in my area for 3 years.It's time NHS dental practices only allowed patients from within say 1.5-2miles of that dental practice to be on their books.It isn't fair people in the vicinity of NHS dental surgeries can't use them yet people come in from miles around to get dental treatment.
Only a few months ago there was a new dentist that opened in Farnworth, can't think what road it was on, but I saw it on the way to Tesco, and it had a massive sign hung outside "We are taking on new NHS patients." Because I had friends waiting to see dentists I informed them and they registered.
[quote][p][bold]Reality50[/bold] wrote: I have been waiting over 3 years to get on the books on an NHS dentist.There are no available places in Farnworth whatsoever and I have tried every local NHS dentist including Great Lever and Kearsley.What's even more depressing is I have an NHS practice 250 yards from me yet it takes patients from as far as 5 miles away yet locals are denied access.We are told by Bolton NHS to ring Lever Chambers on the first day of every month between 9-10am and they will give us a list of the dental practices with available spaces.As soon as 9am comes on the first day of each month the phone number is engaged and if you are lucky to get through they tell you there are no spare places in your area.That has been the same in my area for 3 years.It's time NHS dental practices only allowed patients from within say 1.5-2miles of that dental practice to be on their books.It isn't fair people in the vicinity of NHS dental surgeries can't use them yet people come in from miles around to get dental treatment.[/p][/quote]Only a few months ago there was a new dentist that opened in Farnworth, can't think what road it was on, but I saw it on the way to Tesco, and it had a massive sign hung outside "We are taking on new NHS patients." Because I had friends waiting to see dentists I informed them and they registered. MsMooseGirl

11:42am Wed 18 Jul 12

taverner says...

mr morriss are you sure the services are available for this wonderfull life the people living longer are having? the hospital looks like calcutta railway station..can we have a statastic of boltonians in bolton..when you get a minute?
mr morriss are you sure the services are available for this wonderfull life the people living longer are having? the hospital looks like calcutta railway station..can we have a statastic of boltonians in bolton..when you get a minute? taverner

11:43am Wed 18 Jul 12

MsMooseGirl says...

A quick search on the NHS Website offers a dentist in Kearsley:

http://www.nhs.uk/Se
rvices/dentists/Over
view/DefaultView.asp
x?id=DE_QDA4__000001
_BL48DB

Daylesford & Associates Ltd.
1 Bolton Road, Kearsley, Bolton, BL4 8DB
01204 707773

It seems they are taking on NHS patients at the present time according to the information!
A quick search on the NHS Website offers a dentist in Kearsley: http://www.nhs.uk/Se rvices/dentists/Over view/DefaultView.asp x?id=DE_QDA4__000001 _BL48DB Daylesford & Associates Ltd. 1 Bolton Road, Kearsley, Bolton, BL4 8DB 01204 707773 It seems they are taking on NHS patients at the present time according to the information! MsMooseGirl

11:43am Wed 18 Jul 12

Reality50 says...

MsMoosegirl if you gave me a clue of the road it was on I will enquire and thanks for letting me know.
MsMoosegirl if you gave me a clue of the road it was on I will enquire and thanks for letting me know. Reality50

11:46am Wed 18 Jul 12

MsMooseGirl says...

There are also practices listed in Little Hulton, Radcliffe and Atherton who are taking on patients, yes it is not Bolton but if you have a car or able to use public transport it might be worth looking into!
There are also practices listed in Little Hulton, Radcliffe and Atherton who are taking on patients, yes it is not Bolton but if you have a car or able to use public transport it might be worth looking into! MsMooseGirl

11:47am Wed 18 Jul 12

MsMooseGirl says...

Reality50 wrote:
MsMoosegirl if you gave me a clue of the road it was on I will enquire and thanks for letting me know.
See comment above on the one in Kearsley, not sure if it is that one I saw the sign at, I am female, terrible at road names / streets... ;)
[quote][p][bold]Reality50[/bold] wrote: MsMoosegirl if you gave me a clue of the road it was on I will enquire and thanks for letting me know.[/p][/quote]See comment above on the one in Kearsley, not sure if it is that one I saw the sign at, I am female, terrible at road names / streets... ;) MsMooseGirl

12:29pm Wed 18 Jul 12

macauley says...

did someone mention another sighn in farnworth? bet it was another one of cliff morris ideas.
did someone mention another sighn in farnworth? bet it was another one of cliff morris ideas. macauley

12:48pm Wed 18 Jul 12

marco999 says...

I had no problem registering with Ravat & Ray dentists on Wigan road in Bolton. Granted it is a good few miles from where I live but I guess that's just the way it is nowadays. Maybe a lot of those people who a waiting to see a dentist are only looking locally and may need to look further afield?
I had no problem registering with Ravat & Ray dentists on Wigan road in Bolton. Granted it is a good few miles from where I live but I guess that's just the way it is nowadays. Maybe a lot of those people who a waiting to see a dentist are only looking locally and may need to look further afield? marco999

1:24pm Wed 18 Jul 12

oftbewildered says...

Reality50 wrote:
I have been waiting over 3 years to get on the books on an NHS dentist.There are no available places in Farnworth whatsoever and I have tried every local NHS dentist including Great Lever and Kearsley.What's even more depressing is I have an NHS practice 250 yards from me yet it takes patients from as far as 5 miles away yet locals are denied access.We are told by Bolton NHS to ring Lever Chambers on the first day of every month between 9-10am and they will give us a list of the dental practices with available spaces.As soon as 9am comes on the first day of each month the phone number is engaged and if you are lucky to get through they tell you there are no spare places in your area.That has been the same in my area for 3 years.It's time NHS dental practices only allowed patients from within say 1.5-2miles of that dental practice to be on their books.It isn't fair people in the vicinity of NHS dental surgeries can't use them yet people come in from miles around to get dental treatment.
sounds a good idea - but I used to live near my dentist - when I moved away he kept me on his books; I need intensive dental treatment, but I have to admit I live about 6 miles away.
[quote][p][bold]Reality50[/bold] wrote: I have been waiting over 3 years to get on the books on an NHS dentist.There are no available places in Farnworth whatsoever and I have tried every local NHS dentist including Great Lever and Kearsley.What's even more depressing is I have an NHS practice 250 yards from me yet it takes patients from as far as 5 miles away yet locals are denied access.We are told by Bolton NHS to ring Lever Chambers on the first day of every month between 9-10am and they will give us a list of the dental practices with available spaces.As soon as 9am comes on the first day of each month the phone number is engaged and if you are lucky to get through they tell you there are no spare places in your area.That has been the same in my area for 3 years.It's time NHS dental practices only allowed patients from within say 1.5-2miles of that dental practice to be on their books.It isn't fair people in the vicinity of NHS dental surgeries can't use them yet people come in from miles around to get dental treatment.[/p][/quote]sounds a good idea - but I used to live near my dentist - when I moved away he kept me on his books; I need intensive dental treatment, but I have to admit I live about 6 miles away. oftbewildered

2:41pm Wed 18 Jul 12

Isobelle says...

Reality50 wrote:
I have been waiting over 3 years to get on the books on an NHS dentist.There are no available places in Farnworth whatsoever and I have tried every local NHS dentist including Great Lever and Kearsley.What's even more depressing is I have an NHS practice 250 yards from me yet it takes patients from as far as 5 miles away yet locals are denied access.We are told by Bolton NHS to ring Lever Chambers on the first day of every month between 9-10am and they will give us a list of the dental practices with available spaces.As soon as 9am comes on the first day of each month the phone number is engaged and if you are lucky to get through they tell you there are no spare places in your area.That has been the same in my area for 3 years.It's time NHS dental practices only allowed patients from within say 1.5-2miles of that dental practice to be on their books.It isn't fair people in the vicinity of NHS dental surgeries can't use them yet people come in from miles around to get dental treatment.
If you're able to travel a little further, Walkden Dental Practice are taking on new patients - I know it goes against how you feel about people from other areas taking dental places, but unfortunately most of us have no choice.
[quote][p][bold]Reality50[/bold] wrote: I have been waiting over 3 years to get on the books on an NHS dentist.There are no available places in Farnworth whatsoever and I have tried every local NHS dentist including Great Lever and Kearsley.What's even more depressing is I have an NHS practice 250 yards from me yet it takes patients from as far as 5 miles away yet locals are denied access.We are told by Bolton NHS to ring Lever Chambers on the first day of every month between 9-10am and they will give us a list of the dental practices with available spaces.As soon as 9am comes on the first day of each month the phone number is engaged and if you are lucky to get through they tell you there are no spare places in your area.That has been the same in my area for 3 years.It's time NHS dental practices only allowed patients from within say 1.5-2miles of that dental practice to be on their books.It isn't fair people in the vicinity of NHS dental surgeries can't use them yet people come in from miles around to get dental treatment.[/p][/quote]If you're able to travel a little further, Walkden Dental Practice are taking on new patients - I know it goes against how you feel about people from other areas taking dental places, but unfortunately most of us have no choice. Isobelle

3:16pm Wed 18 Jul 12

Reality50 says...

Thanks everyone.
Thanks everyone. Reality50

4:49pm Wed 18 Jul 12

Paddypaws says...

The Dentist problem is of course not just in this town, but everywhere in the UK!
The Dentist problem is of course not just in this town, but everywhere in the UK! Paddypaws

7:00pm Wed 18 Jul 12

Angleman says...

Get of a boat tomorrow and just sign up to your nearest dentist.No problem!
Get of a boat tomorrow and just sign up to your nearest dentist.No problem! Angleman

7:07pm Wed 18 Jul 12

gonchbwfc says...

should of been at a dentist since u was a kid, and not decide get ur teeth sorted when they r **** like every1 else.. been with my dentist 25years...
should of been at a dentist since u was a kid, and not decide get ur teeth sorted when they r **** like every1 else.. been with my dentist 25years... gonchbwfc

11:22pm Wed 18 Jul 12

Reality50 says...

My teeth are fine and I have had dentists in the past when I lived in other towns @Gonchbwfc.You shouldn't assume without the facts!
My teeth are fine and I have had dentists in the past when I lived in other towns @Gonchbwfc.You shouldn't assume without the facts! Reality50

11:31am Thu 19 Jul 12

TheBigLie says...

With respect, many NHS Dentists are already overstretched and only get fixed funding, so even if you are 'squeezed' in, the question not really
being answered is Access to What?

The answer is a system that cannot possibly deliver all the clinical care to the population the politicians and NHS management have led them to believe IS available, IS properly funded, IS based upon Health and Prevention, IS free regardless of income because it's labelled NHS, IS improving dental health by being selective with statistics etc, etc, etc.
In the Dental Profession, we simply call it the English DH Big Lie, but they don't want the public to know this :(
With respect, many NHS Dentists are already overstretched and only get fixed funding, so even if you are 'squeezed' in, the question not really being answered is Access to What? The answer is a system that cannot possibly deliver all the clinical care to the population the politicians and NHS management have led them to believe IS available, IS properly funded, IS based upon Health and Prevention, IS free regardless of income because it's labelled NHS, IS improving dental health by being selective with statistics etc, etc, etc. In the Dental Profession, we simply call it the English DH Big Lie, but they don't want the public to know this :( TheBigLie

11:43am Thu 19 Jul 12

TheBigLie says...

The Big Lie is bad for the Public and bad for the Dental Profession - of course sometimes management or the DH like to point the blame at others, calling Dentists overpaid or People neglecting their own health badly or saying it's just a local or temporary problem, when really the system the Department of Health plans, funds and imposes upon all NHS Dentists and local people is broken badly.
Until the Dh are honest with the public, The Big Lie continues to have problems that cannot be fixed with excuses or temporary clinics which then disappear again next year :(
Remember the days when you could choose your family NHS Dentist locally and keep seeing the same person so you get to know them and relax with them?
It seems that is becoming a dream now and you have to go Private to achieve it, especially if you want enough time booked to feel less rushed and have more choice and not have your NHS dentist say sorry they've just made me see another 5000 patients off their waiting lists so everyone must be rushed in and out even quicker etc :(
Believe me that isn't good for your health or the health of the highly stressed dental professionals trying to manage a system that isn't fit for purpose!
The Big Lie is bad for the Public and bad for the Dental Profession - of course sometimes management or the DH like to point the blame at others, calling Dentists overpaid or People neglecting their own health badly or saying it's just a local or temporary problem, when really the system the Department of Health plans, funds and imposes upon all NHS Dentists and local people is broken badly. Until the Dh are honest with the public, The Big Lie continues to have problems that cannot be fixed with excuses or temporary clinics which then disappear again next year :( Remember the days when you could choose your family NHS Dentist locally and keep seeing the same person so you get to know them and relax with them? It seems that is becoming a dream now and you have to go Private to achieve it, especially if you want enough time booked to feel less rushed and have more choice and not have your NHS dentist say sorry they've just made me see another 5000 patients off their waiting lists so everyone must be rushed in and out even quicker etc :( Believe me that isn't good for your health or the health of the highly stressed dental professionals trying to manage a system that isn't fit for purpose! TheBigLie

8:26am Sun 22 Jul 12

Freddies Assistant says...

I used to go to an NHS dentist in Pendlebury - quite far, but hey ho. When I got an appointment for a check up, I rang and asked them to postpone it for 6 months as I had no problems at that time. After a year and no new appointment, I rang to enquire and was told that since I hadnt been for a while, I had been removed from the surgery! Thanks for that! I only postponed it in the first place to give others a chance to get an appointment when I didnt need one!
I used to go to an NHS dentist in Pendlebury - quite far, but hey ho. When I got an appointment for a check up, I rang and asked them to postpone it for 6 months as I had no problems at that time. After a year and no new appointment, I rang to enquire and was told that since I hadnt been for a while, I had been removed from the surgery! Thanks for that! I only postponed it in the first place to give others a chance to get an appointment when I didnt need one! Freddies Assistant

12:08pm Sun 22 Jul 12

fisherman1959 says...

MsMooseGirl wrote:
A quick search on the NHS Website offers a dentist in Kearsley:

http://www.nhs.uk/Se

rvices/dentists/Over

view/DefaultView.asp

x?id=DE_QDA4__000001

_BL48DB

Daylesford & Associates Ltd.
1 Bolton Road, Kearsley, Bolton, BL4 8DB
01204 707773

It seems they are taking on NHS patients at the present time according to the information!
But be quick before another boat load of the Bolton visitors gets there first.
[quote][p][bold]MsMooseGirl[/bold] wrote: A quick search on the NHS Website offers a dentist in Kearsley: http://www.nhs.uk/Se rvices/dentists/Over view/DefaultView.asp x?id=DE_QDA4__000001 _BL48DB Daylesford & Associates Ltd. 1 Bolton Road, Kearsley, Bolton, BL4 8DB 01204 707773 It seems they are taking on NHS patients at the present time according to the information![/p][/quote]But be quick before another boat load of the Bolton visitors gets there first. fisherman1959

5:42pm Tue 24 Jul 12

deehat says...

One of the main reasons for such a shortage of dentists is that many of the NHS trained ones got assistance with setting up a practice and then went private! The dentist I go to has recently told me that many of these ex NHS private dentists are now finding it difficult to keep private patients and are actually short of clients, he also tells me that many of the people looking for NHS dentists are the very ones who initially went private and now cannot afford the prices.
One of the main reasons for such a shortage of dentists is that many of the NHS trained ones got assistance with setting up a practice and then went private! The dentist I go to has recently told me that many of these ex NHS private dentists are now finding it difficult to keep private patients and are actually short of clients, he also tells me that many of the people looking for NHS dentists are the very ones who initially went private and now cannot afford the prices. deehat

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