The first line of defence

Gillian MacQueen explores the importance of at home oral hygiene.

 Over the last five years, the number of patients being seen within 18 weeks of an oral surgery referral has steadily declined. The NHS expects 92 per cent of patients on this waiting list to be seen within that time, this target has not been met since 2016. Many patients in the UK are also struggling to access regular dental and hygiene appointments, it’s more important than ever that patients understand how to properly maintain their oral hygiene at home, to help prevent a nasty shock when they are next able to visit the dentist.

Accessing NHS treatment

Patients in the UK are struggling to see an NHS dentist with some facing a wait time of 26 months – this is having an impact on patients’ oral health as they aren’t able to have regular checkups and hygiene appointments to keep on top of oral health. Problems which could have been picked up early and treated simply, may require more intensive procedures. For example, if a patient needs to wait a long time for treatment of caries, what could have needed a simple filling may become infected and require a root canal. This means that patients have to spend more time and money on treatment.