If you have asked, “why does my dentist keep changing?”, we understand your frustration. Continuity of care is important, and we recognise the benefits of seeing the same dentist regularly. However, this has become increasingly difficult under the NHS due to the recruitment and retention of dentists, especially in rural areas such as North Devon.
We are committed to maintaining access to NHS care, especially for the most vulnerable in society, but this has become increasingly difficult in recent years. We have been able to continue providing NHS care by using the whole dental team to deliver care within their scope of practice and by acting as a training practice for newly qualified dentists.
Both of these approaches help us to maintain access to high-quality NHS care, with highly skilled clinicians. However, they may mean that you see different clinicians depending on your needs.
NHS Dentistry in Devon
NHS dentistry is under huge pressure across the country, with the problem particularly acute in rural areas such as Devon and Cornwall. Part of the issue in North Devon is the recruitment and retention of staff within the NHS.
NHS Devon’s dental workforce information explains some of the steps being taken to recruit dentists to the county.
NHS Dentistry at Torrington Dental Practice
The practice has expanded significantly over the last few years, but despite the growth in private dentistry, Torrington Dental Practice has maintained its commitment to NHS dentistry.
We are proud to be an NHS training practice. Each year, newly qualified dentists join our team for 12 months to hone their skills and experience.
This has many benefits. It increases NHS capacity, ensures our team is kept up to date with advances in dentistry and offers us an opportunity to retain dentists for the longer term. James Carbis, for example, will be staying on as an associate in September.
You can also meet the Torrington Dental Practice team and learn more about the clinicians involved in your care.
Changing face of NHS Dentistry
In the past, patients were “registered” with a dentist and would expect to attend every six months for a check-up with the same dentist. This is no longer the case. Patients are no longer registered with a dentist or dental practice. NHS dental registration was removed in 2006.
This is different from the GP model. Although patients sometimes feel they have been “kicked off the dentist’s list”, there is no longer a permanent NHS dental registration list. Practices are also being encouraged and incentivised to see new patients who have not been seen previously, rather than prioritising regular attenders.
In view of the pressures on capacity, those fortunate enough to have access to an NHS dentist will tend to have a long wait for treatment. In line with NHS England guidance, check-ups will also be made at longer intervals, with most patients being seen every 12 months rather than every six months.
NICE guidance on dental recall intervals confirms that recall periods should be based on each patient’s oral health needs.re and work within their scope of practice.
Similar to the shift within GP practices, there is a growing focus on expanding the role of the dental team in delivering care. This makes a lot of sense, and we are delighted that we have managed to recruit a group of highly skilled clinicians to help deliver your care, including nurses, hygienists and therapists.
We have always been willing to adapt and change to reflect the needs of our patients and the requirements of NHS England. In doing so, we can hopefully stay ahead of the curve and continue to offer NHS care for our community.
At a national level, there is a limited budget for NHS dentistry, and the Government has made it clear that our primary focus must be on vulnerable patients. Unfortunately, without additional funding, this is likely to mean that regular attenders may be disadvantaged in the future.
Lobbying for change
The Senior Management Team at Torrington Dental Practice continues to work closely with NHS Devon to explore innovative ways to expand services in Torrington.
We have recently expanded our domiciliary service for patients who are housebound. In September, we will be running a children’s clinic one day a week in partnership with the Community Dental Service.
This is in addition to our sedation clinic, our orthodontic service and our outreach oral health team.
We are also very fortunate that Ian Mills is closely involved with NHS dental commissioning at a local, regional and national level. He is Chair of Devon Local Dental Committee and works closely with NHS commissioners, local MPs and other healthcare providers to address some of the health inequalities that exist in Torridge and North Devon.
Concluding remarks
The team at Torrington Dental Practice is committed to improving oral health within our community. This has become increasingly challenging to deliver under the NHS, but we remain committed to doing so, even if this involves adopting different models of delivery.
This may unfortunately mean that you see a different dentist or dental care professional, but we are confident that this will not affect the quality of care you receive.
We understand that some patients place particular importance on seeing the same dentist. We will provide continuity where we can, but NHS capacity may mean longer waiting times or seeing another member of the dental team. If continuity is your main priority, private care may provide greater choice of clinician and appointment availability.
If you have any questions about your appointments or the care available to you, please contact Torrington Dental Practice or call 01805 623657.
Why does my dentist keep changing? Frequently asked questions
Why does my dentist keep changing?
Recruitment and retention of dentists within the NHS is difficult, especially in rural areas such as North Devon. As an NHS training practice, we also have newly qualified dentists joining our team for 12 months.
Am I registered with an NHS dentist?
No. Patients are no longer registered with an NHS dentist or dental practice. NHS dental registration was removed in 2006.
Why is my check-up now every 12 months?
In line with NHS guidance, check-ups are being made at longer intervals, with most patients being seen every 12 months rather than every six months.
Why might I see a hygienist or dental therapist?
There is a growing focus on expanding the role of the whole dental team. Our nurses, hygienists and therapists help us maintain access to high-quality NHS care and work within their scope of practice.