In response to significant lobbying work from the British Dental Association, NHS England has issued new guidance to ensure that data is collected at national level on waiting times for assessment and treatment of vulnerable adults and children in Community Dental Service (CDS) settings.
This guidance will ensure that vital waiting list data collection within the CDS will be improved with the new arrangements starting in August 2025 for England.
Historic data suggested that children and vulnerable adult patients could face yearlong waits for treatment, in particular for extractions under general anaesthetic.
The professional body hopes this data will provide clarity regarding the access crisis facing the service and strengthen the case to decision makers regarding the need for significant investment in the CDS.
Giten Dabhi, Chair of the England Community Dental Services Committee said: “I know from the frontline that waiting times in the CDS are unacceptable, and this new data will turn that anecdote into fact.
“This is one of the key areas that we outlined in our ‘call to action’ to make sure community dentistry is finally given the priority it deserves. We asked for greater waiting list transparency on access to CDS services and that the data is published in the same format as other NHS services.
“This guidance is an important step forward and the data that will become available later this year will shine a light on yearlong delays and enable us to press for substantive plans to address these backlogs. We welcome this first step on that journey.”
