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Children and vulnerable patients missing out on dental treatment because NHS charge exemptions are “poorly signposted” (25 April 2017)

Date: 25/04/2017
Duncan Lewis, Personal Injury Solicitors, Children and vulnerable patients missing out on dental treatment because NHS charge exemptions are “poorly signposted”

The British Dental Association (BDA) has said that children and vulnerable patients risk losing out on access to free NHS dental treatment because of poor promotion and signposting of NHS charge exemptions.

A recent poll revealed that just 74% of parents were aware that routine check ups are free for children aged below 18.

Following the latest 5% rise in NHS dental charges in England from 1 April 2017, dentist leaders have called on government to end the “confusion by design” that is “helping keep young and vulnerable patients away from their right to free NHS dentistry”.

The poll of 910 UK parents of children aged below 18 years was conducted by YouGov – just 69% of parents thought fillings were free for under-18s and only 54% thought the same for orthodontic work, such as braces.

Younger parents demonstrate less awareness about free check ups for their children, with just 67% of parents aged 25-34 and 62% among parents aged 18-24 being aware of free dental check ups.

The survey also found that 42% of parents had delayed a routine dental check up for themselves because of dental treatment costs – and nearly one in ten parents (8%) admitted to doing the same for one or more of their children aged below 18, even though no charges apply.

The BDA says that tooth decay is the number one reason for hospital admissions among children.

Freedom of Information requests from the NHS Business Services Authority now show that 117,882 fines have been issued for mis-claiming free dentistry since May 2014 – however, nearly nine out of ten (86.7%) of all appeals against penalties are now being won.

Dentists accuse the government of failing to promote free access – and of using “heavy-handed tactics” through the £100 penalty fines levied on those “inappropriately” claiming access.

The BDA says that these fines are hitting a wide range of dental patient groups, including those with dementia, Special Educational Needs (SEN) and their carers – who are often unable to complete the required paperwork accurately.

In a new report launched to mark the latest increase in NHS charges, the BDA says that the government must re-assess its approach, to minimise barriers to dental care – and end the “inflation-busting” increases that are now plugging holes in the budget left by declining state investment.

The BDA estimate charges will overtake direct funding as the principle source of revenue for the service in England within a generation. BDA Chair of General Dental Practice, Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen, said:

“NHS charges exist to discourage patients from seeking dental treatment –and now appear to be delivering results even among those who don't need to pay.

“Nearly five million children are failing to attend at an NHS dentist each year and extractions are surging – the fact so many parents are simply unaware these check ups are free of charge shows just how little energy the government is putting into prevention.

“We have vulnerable patients who either cannot navigate the bureaucracy – or are simply never made aware of their entitlements. What looks like confusion by design is leaving parents in the dark and dementia patients on the receiving end of £100 fines.

“Britain faces deep-seated dental health inequalities, yet Ministers' top priorities are keeping demand down and the revenue rolling in. These charge hikes don't put a penny of extra investment into the service – and reform is required, so no one in real need has to think twice about seeking our care.”


Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors – No win no fee Dental Negligence Claims

Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors can advise those who suffer injury as a result of dental negligence on how to make a no win no fee compensation claim – including claims relating to:

  • Abscesses
  • Bleeding
  • Bridges
  • Bruising
  • Caries
  • Cosmetic dentistry
  • Crowns
  • Dental anaesthetic negligence (eg allergic reaction, incorrect dosage)
  • Dental surgery
  • Dentures
  • Extractions
  • Fractured tooth or crown
  • Fillings
  • Gum disease
  • Hygienist negligence
  • Implants
  • Infections
  • Misdiagnosis/failure to diagnose
  • Mouth injuries
  • Oral cancers
  • Orthodontic negligence
  • Pain
  • Root canal negligence
  • Tooth loss
  • Veneers.

  • Dental negligence claims have to be made within three years of injury – children can claim compensation for dental negligence up to the age of 21.

    For expert legal advice on no win no fee Dental Negligence Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 0333 772 0409.


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