1. How to get emergency dental care

    News -

    People who need emergency dental treatment are advised to contact their regular surgery - and their case will assessed on a priority basis. They will then be referred to one of two new dental hubs, in Bristol and Weston, for treatment.

  2. Dentistry during Covid-19

    Report -

    Healthwatch Bristol, Healthwatch North Somerset and Healthwatch South Gloucestershire have been gathering feedback about dental practice and treatment throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.

  3. Our Area lead Julie tells BBC Radio Bristol about problems getting to a dentist during the pandemic

    News -

    NHS dentistry has been pushed to crisis point by Covid-19 – new research by Healthwatch has found.

  4. Our call for better access to NHS dental care goes national

    News -

    Healthwatch’s work highlighting the difficulties patients have had trying to see a dentist during the pandemic has made national headlines.

  5. What to do if you can't find an NHS dentist

    Advice and Information -

    NHS dental care has been massively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's been almost impossible to find an NHS dentist that's accepting new patients or doing emergency treatment.

  6. Healthwatch discusses Covid-19 pressures on BRI's A&E department on Radio Bristol

    News -

    The pandemic has led to delays in patients getting seen at Bristol Royal Infirmary’s A&E department due to high demand and lack of staff, a new report has found.

  7. Dentistry - how Healthwatch Bristol has used your feedback to bring about change

    Advice and Information -

    Over 100 people have shared their feedback on NHS dental services with us during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's how we've used your feedback, and how it's made a difference.

  8. Advice for NHS Dental Contractors: updating your NHS website profile

    Advice and Information -

    Many dental practices are not updating their information on the NHS website. The Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, and Healthwatch are urging dental contractors to review their profiles, to help patients find dental care more easily.

  9. NHS to aim for an extra one thousand urgent dental care appointments per week in South West

    News -

    Many people have been unable to get the dental care they needed during the pandemic. Now, NHS England and NHS Improvement want to make treatment more accessible, in order to improve the oral health of people living in the South West.

  10. "Not having the option to have NHS care is a real concern" - our Area Manager, Vicky Marriott, speaks to BBC Radio Bristol about the problems facing dentistry

    News -

    As waiting lists grow and the number of dentists turning away NHS patients increases across the South West, our Area Manager spoke to James Hanson on BBC Radio Bristol about the difficulties facing those who cannot afford private treatment.

  11. South West to receive almost £5 million to provide additional dental appointments

    News -

    £50 million will be made available to the NHS in England to allow people suffering from oral pain, disease, and infection to get the care they need. £4,726,000 has been allocated to the South West.

  12. Annual Report 2021/2022

    Report -

    Your feedback helps us influence positive change and encourages the improvement of local NHS health and social care services. Take a look at everything we've been up to throughout 2021/2022.

  13. Meeting the needs of modern healthcare: Bristol Dental School is on the move

    News -

    After more than 80 years at its current site on Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol Dental School is moving to a purpose-built space at 1 Trinity Quay. The new site is close to Temple Meads Station and the proposed new university campus at Temple Quarter.

  14. 'The barriers to accessing timely care can put people’s lives at risk' - Healthwatch England's response to the Care Quality Commission's 'State of Care' report

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Their latest report sets out the challenges the NHS and social care sector face: 'the health and care system is gridlocked, unable to operate effectively.'

  15. MPs to examine struggle to access NHS dentistry services

    Advice and Information -

    Parliament's Health and Social Care Committee has launched an inquiry into dentistry following a survey that showed 90% of practices across the UK were not accepting new adult NHS patients.

  16. Annual Report 2022/2023

    Report -

    Last year, 793 people shared their experiences of health and social care services with us. Our annual report sets out how your comments and concerns have had a real impact on local health and social care services.

  17. The way you make a complaint about some NHS services has changed

    Advice and Information -

    Everyone has the right to make a complaint about any aspect of NHS care, treatment, or service. How you make a complaint about primary care services changed on 1 July 2023. Primary care includes GPs, pharmacies, dentists, and opticians.

  18. A third of people in England lack confidence they can access critical NHS services

    News -

    Healthwatch England has warned that people need more confidence that the NHS can provide timely care as the winter period approaches. A third of adults in England lack confidence that they can access timely care, including GP services, mental health support and hospital care.

  19. Queues outside newly-opened dental practice highlight desperate state of NHS dentistry

    News -

    People were once again queuing outside the newly-opened dental practice in St Pauls this morning, in hopes of registering for NHS dental care.

  20. How will we make a difference in 2024-25?

    Report -

    Our workplan sets out the areas of health and social care we will be looking at over the coming financial year. It also outlines the research we plan to carry out in order to help improve local services.

  21. 10 top tips to get the most out of your dental appointment

    Advice and Information -

    Everyone should be able to access good quality NHS dental services. Take a look at our top tips to help you get the most out of your next dental appointment.