SOUTHEND residents are facing a crisis of a shortage of NHS dentists which is taking a “physical and emotional” toll.

Healthwatch Southend, an independent body for Southend residents who use NHS and social care services, has produced an urgent review after being inundated with complaint from residents who could not secure registration with dentists or appointments.

The report concludes that urgent action needs to be taken to restore capacity within NHS dentistry and that the NHS dental system is unaffordable for many.

Get more great stories like this delivered to your inbox every day by signing up to our morning newsletter - don't miss out!

A survey undertaken by the body found that 15 per cent of respondents avoided going to a dentist because of the cost of checks ups or treatment.

Owen Richards, chief officer at Healthwatch Southend, said “local residents contact us regularly for help in finding an NHS dentist. 

“One of the problems is that dentists don’t update the NHS website about whether they are seeing new patients or not.  Some dentists outside Southend are seeing patients, but this involves time and money in getting there, as well as the NHS charges each patient faces. 

“With a cost-of-living crisis, this is yet another pressure on families.  The NHS locally is now responsible for planning and funding dentistry, but they have to use a national contract which really doesn’t meet the needs of patients or their dentists.”

Mr Richards says one parent told Healthwatch Southend they had been trying to find an NHS dentist for over a year with no luck.

“I have had a broken tooth which I had to treat myself as I cannot afford to go private,” the Southend mother said.

“I have called every single dentist registered on the NHS website, and the closest one I have finally been able to register with is in Basildon some 12 miles away.”

The issues haves left many parents unable to access treatment and check-ups for their children.

Data from the National Dental Epidemiology Programme for 2021 to 2022 shows just 95 of the 2,266 five-year-olds in Southend (4.2 per cent) had their teeth examined in the 2021-22 school year.

Of those analysed, 28.2% had enamel decay or more serious decay to the layer of dentin under the enamel.

The figures show 25.1% of the five-year-olds examined in Southend had more serious dentinal decay.

An MSE ICB spokesman said: "Mid and South Essex ICB assumed responsibility for the commissioning of dental services, alongside pharmacy and optometry, from 1st April 2023.

"As the new lead commissioners, we see this as a great opportunity to work together with local providers, key partners and organisations such as Healthwatch, to improve access to services for local people and to ensure people receive the care they need, resulting in better outcomes for patients.

"We welcome the comprehensive review undertaken by Healthwatch and it is our aim to meet with them at the earliest opportunity to discuss their findings and address the issues raised.

"We are committed to ensuring that everyone in Southend can access high quality dental care and we will work closely with dental providers to improve access to services in the area. Urgent dental care is available for anyone who needs it, and people should continue to use the NHS 111 service for advice on where to go."