Access To NHS Dentists

Recent Ipsos research among a representative sample of adults in England and Wales, conducted on behalf of Citizens Advice reveals that a third had not been to a dentist since April 2006.

Among the two-thirds who had, 64% had NHS treatment, 31% had private treatment, the remainder had both.

Among all those who had not been to an NHS dentist since April 2006 (998 adults), the most common reasons given for not doing so are lack of access to an NHS dentist (31%) and 'not needing treatment' (30%).

Topline Results

• The questions were placed on Ipsos's Omnibus.
• A nationally representative quota sample of 1,813 adults aged 15 and over was interviewed throughout England and Wales.
• Interviews were conducted face-to-face in respondents' homes, using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing) between 7-13 December 2007.
• The data have been weighted by gender, age, location, and social class, to reflect the national profile of England and Wales.
• An asterisk (*) indicates a percentage of less than 0.5% but greater than zero.
• Where figures do not add up to 100, this is due to multiple coding or computer rounding.

Q1 Have you been to a dentist since April 2006 or not? Base: All (1,813)

Q2 When you last went to the dentist did you have NHS treatment, private treatment or both? Base: All adults who have been to the dentist since April 2006 (1,110)

Q3 Looking at this card, please tell me which, if any, of the following are the main reasons why you have not been to an NHS dentist since April 2006? Base: All adults who have not been to an NHS dentist since April 2006 (including those who have visited a private dentist) (998)

If respondent asked what the NHS charges are, they were informed there are 3 bands: In England -- band 1 16315.90, band 2 16343.60, band 3 163194. In Wales -- band 1 16312, band 2 16339, band 3 163177.