Hundreds queue overnight and 27,000 call dentist practice offering 60 NHS slots

02 August 2023 , 20:34

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Hundreds queued for dentist appointments in Faversham, Kent

A dental practice received 27,000 calls and 700 emails in one day as it opened NHS slots for the first time.

Hundreds of desperate people also queued on the street overnight to visit Faversham Smiles in Kent in the hope of grabbing a slot. All want to access NHS treatment amid a crisis in the industry, which has seen millions of Brits unable to obtain subsidised dental work.

It's been so drastic some have even tried to yank out their teeth themselves or taken out loans to pay for treatment abroad.

The queue for Faversham Smiles snaked some distance down a busy road

When Faversham Smiles said it would provide 60 NHS slots to the first 20 people in the queue, first 20 to email and first 20 to call, it was inundated on Tuesday. Photographs show the lengthy queue, stretching some distance down the road outside the premises.

Speaking to Kent Online shortly after 4pm on Tuesday, the business' manager Elli Cain said: “Since 8am when we opened, and our intake began, we’ve had over 100 people attend the practice, over 700 emails, and our phone system has logged over 27,000 calls – so far.

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"From the first 60 inquiries – 20 in queue, 20 by phone, and 20 by email - we have managed to secure appointments for over 120 patients.

"I appreciate that compared to the sheer volume of inquiries today, this seems like very few; I simply ask that everyone bear in mind that these appointments have been secured in the near future, without needing to wait for months.

"We must work within our capacity as there is no sense in booking in hundreds of patients but then not being able to provide their required treatment in a reasonable timeframe."

The practice has now introduced a rolling waiting list that those who missed out yesterday were able to register for. However, writing online, Faversham resident spoke of their fury at how the country has got into this mess.

One man posted: "The fact that dozens of people have to queue, and thousands of people have to call to try to see a dentist should be a badge of shame for our government."

Another resident said: "That is all down to the government who have spent the last 10+ years reducing the budget paid to NHS dentists year on year." A third wrote: "What a sad state this country is in when it comes to this."

Other comments included those who queued - and failed - to secure an appointment on Tuesday. One mum said: "Queued from 7am, emailed dead on 8 in the queue, and phoned and couldn’t get my kids registered. Hope the waiting list goes quickly so they can be registered with you."

But Ms Cain says those on the waiting list will be contacted when “capacity becomes available”. She added: "The team here have been working tirelessly to speak to as many people as we can, but we are human and can only try our best, please be patient with us, we are trying to help everyone. I am so proud of every member of this team today and every day, and I hope that you can appreciate their efforts as I do."

A recent report by the Health and Social Care Committee examined NHS dentistry and called for an “urgent and fundamental reform”. It said there was evidence of pain and distress that is “totally unacceptable in the 21st century”.

Bradley Jolly