The current Vital Sign measure for dental access is defined by the number of people that have accessed NHS dentistry within a PCT over a 24 month period, as a proportion of that PCT's population. This provides a useful measure of the number of people that are accessing NHS dentistry.
An additional patient experience dental access indicator was introduced in January 2010, based on the public's experience of accessing NHS dentistry. It assesses the proportion of each PCT's population that has tried to get an NHS dental appointment and the percentage of those people who have been successful. It is measured via the independent GP Patient Survey.
The additional indicator provides a robust measure of whether past demand for NHS dentistry has been met by supply. It also helps inform estimates of future demand for NHS dentistry by establishing the number of people who report unavailability of NHS dentistry as the main reason they have not tried to access it.
Where to find the data:
NHS Information Centre – The IC ublishes quarterly data on patients seen in the preceding 24 month period.
Department of Health – The DH publishes the GP Patient Survey dental results every quarter.
GP Patient website - For basic information on the number of responses to each question in the dental section.
NHS Dental Services - NHS DS publishes Vital Signs reports including data on access, activity, quality and value for money at PCT and contract level.
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