Hundreds of people have been diagnosed with tooth decay at Great Western Hospital in recent years.

This has raised concerns about whether the difficulty of getting dentist appointments in the Swindon area is leading to serious tooth and gum problems being left untreated.

The Public Interest Lawyers group says it has obtained stats showing that since 2021, there have been 454 patients who had a diagnosis of tooth decay that was recorded as part of their spell at Great Western Hospital – 177 in 2021-22, 145 in 2022-23, and 132 in 2023-24.

According to the BBC and the British Dental Association, 90 per cent of dentists across the UK are not taking on new NHS adult patients.

A spokesperson for Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are seeing more patients every year in hospitals who have tooth decay, although the hospital is not always the best place to receive treatment for your teeth.

“Local people should register with a dentist as soon as they are able to, and ensure they maintain regular check-ups to keep on top of their oral hygiene.

“It’s also important to brush your teeth twice a day with age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste, without rinsing the toothpaste off the teeth. You should also avoid eating and drinking sugary snacks in between meals.”

Of the 16 dental practices in Swindon listed on the NHS website, five are not accepting new NHS patients, two are only taking new NHS patients for specialist dental care by referral, five have not recently given an update on whether or not they are taking NHS patients.

When availability allows, Ambience Dental Practice in Queen Street and Dentalcare Swindon in Moredon are accepting new patients aged 17 and under, while Priory Road Dental Practice in Park South and mydentist on Cricklade Road in Gorse Hill are accepting new NHS patients of any age.

Slightly further afield, Wootton Bassett Dental Care in Royal Wootton Bassett and Dumbledore Dental Care in Marlborough are accepting new NHS patients when availability allows, though The Cottage Dental and Implant Clinic, Williams Dental Practice, and The Savernake Forest Dental Practice, are not, while Dentalcare Marlborough are accepting under-18s.

South Swindon MP Heidi Alexander said: “I recently met with the leadership of the local NHS Integrated Care Board and the availability of NHS dentistry appointments in Swindon was one of the first issues I raised with them.

“In the short term there are very few quick fixes, as we will need to reform the dental contract to get more dentists doing more NHS work.

“We also need to incentivise more newly qualified dentists to work in areas of the country where they are most needed and increase the number of emergency appointments. The new Labour government is making this a priority but it will take some time to do.

“In the meantime, Swindon North MP Will Stone and I have written to all dentists in the town who haven’t recently updated their information online about whether they are accepting new patients.

“It’s really important that this information is current and kept updated.

“I will continue to raise the problems in Swindon with the local NHS leaders to see what more can be done in the short term - and with ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care on the longer term reform needed.

“People shouldn’t have to turn up at hospital with tooth decay in 21st century Britain so I’m determined that we find a way to improve the system. “

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber, you will get:            

  • Unlimited access to the Swindon Advertiser website        
  • Advert-light access             
  • Reader rewards             
  • Full access to our app