The sheer scale of the dental misery Isle of Wight people are facing has been unveiled in evidence submitted to a government inquiry...with one person having to travel as far as Birmingham for treatment.

Island health watchdog Healthwatch Isle of Wight was one of a number of organisations asked to give evidence, with some shocking statements coming from patients.

Headline points in the evidence gathered by Healthwatch Isle of Wight for the Government Health and Social Care Committee inquiry into dentistry were:

  • Some people with a private dentist cannot afford essential treatment.
  • Many families are concerned that their child/ children have never seen a dentist.
  • Some people have got into debt whilst paying for dental care.
  • Some people are travelling as far afield as London and Birmingham to see a dentist.
  • Key themes are problems with access, cost and equality.

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Some of the evidence sent from Isle of Wight patients

My teeth are falling out, I can't eat properly, in pain all the time. It's a nightmare that I never wake from. I need dentures and I can't afford private treatment. Please help."

I have tried (looking for an NHS dentist) for over 10 vears. I was born on the Island and the only access I have had to dental treatment is the emergency dentist. It is a constant worry."

It's meant that I've had to pay for private treatment at a cost of over £6,000. This is a lot of money to find from savings."

"I cannot afford private treatment. I have a broken bridge teeth hanging low in my mouth that stops me from eating properly. It upsets my wife to see me like this."

A total of 415 submissions were made to Healthwatch Isle of Wight.

One cancer patient, who is the main carer for a disabled child, had to postpone cancer treatment after she was informed that her cancer had spread.

She was unable to find an NHS dentist who would complete the dental work she needed before she could start chemotherapy and she could not afford to go private.

The health and social care champion has submitted evidence to a parliamentary inquiry on NHS dentistry, highlighting the significant problems that many Island residents have in finding an NHS dentist and getting the treatment they desperately need.

What Healthwatch Isle of Wight says

Joanna Smith, Healthwatch Isle of Wight manager, said: “Lack of NHS dentistry on the Isle of Wight is compounded by the fact that we are surrounded by water.

"We do not have the luxury of travelling to a nearby city or county to access NHS dental care, without the additional cost and inconvenience of travelling by ferry which can be unreliable in poor weather and can add hours to travelling time.

"Lack of NHS dental services has widened health inequalities, with people on lower incomes often getting no service, while those who can afford to go private can get treatment without delay.

"We have been contacted by pregnant women, cancer patients, people with mental health conditions and autistic people, all of whom have been unable to access any NHS dental care.

"This has affected their mental health and wellbeing, caused financial hardship and has increased pressure on urgent care services such as NHS 111, A&E and GP services.”

A recent survey showed 90 per cent of dental practices across the UK were not accepting new adult NHS patients.

A report of the evidence Healthwatch Isle of Wight submitted can be found HERE.

Healthwatch Isle of Wight thanked the hundreds of people who had contacted them about the difficulties they have had in accessing NHS dentistry.