Data from an NHS patient satisfaction survey has shown how people feel about dental surgeries in Lancashire, including how hard it is to get an appointment.

The annual NHS Dentists Patient Survey has revealed statistics regarding how hard it is to get an appointment in dental surgeries in Lancashire in 2024, and if they had a positive experience or not.

A total of 76,873 survey forms were distributed throughout dental surgeries in the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System, with 21,318 returned.

Around 13 million people in England and Wales are struggling to get a dental appointment, with 20,996 people in Lancashire who tried to get an NHS dental appointment for themselves.

23 per cent tried to get an appointment in the last three months, 14 per cent in the last three to six months, and 10 per cent in the last six months between a year.

Out of those, 77 per cent of people were able to get an appointment, eight per cent were unable to, 12 per cent of dentists were not taking new patients, and five per cent were unable to for another reason.

Amy Lepiorz, associate director of primary care for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board said: “Providing access to NHS dental care continues to be a priority both locally and nationally.

“In Lancashire and South Cumbria, we have launched the dental access and oral health improvement programme which is improving access to primary care dental services in the high street and oral health.

“This includes routine care as well as urgent dental treatment for those in immediate need of support, prioritising the parts of Lancashire and South Cumbria with the greatest need for dental access and oral health support."

Also within the survey, 11,432 patients described how their appointments made them feel in Lancashire. 

41 per cent said very good, 28 per cent said fairly good, 11 per cent said neither good nor bad, seven per cent said fairly poor, and 13 per cent said fairly poor.

When asked why haven’t they tried to get an NHS dental appointment in the last two years, 19 per cent said they haven’t needed to visit a dentist, six per cent said they don’t like going to the dentist, and 22 per cent said they didn’t think they could get an NHS dental appointment.

Three per cent said they're on a waiting list for an NHS dentist, 29 per cent said they prefer to go to a private dentist, six per cent said dental care is too expensive, and 15 per cent said for another reason.

Anyone who is struggling to find a dentist and needs urgent support can call the Lancashire and South Cumbria dental helpline on 0300 1234010.

This service is available from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 5pm weekends and bank holidays.