Residents of North Tyneside are putting off “much needed” dental treatment because of the financial cost.
North Tyneside council’s health and wellbeing board heard a report from Healthwatch North Tyneside detailing residents’ concerns about access to NHS dentists. Healthwatch surveyed 235 people across the borough for its report.
50% of those surveyed said cost was a significant barrier to getting treatment. In the worst cases people opt to have teeth removed rather than repaired. Healthwatch also observed that private dental care is out of reach for many.
