News and reports | Healthwatch

A sign on a street gives information about an NHS dentist

Lack of NHS dental appointments widens health inequalities

A new survey of public attitudes to NHS dentistry shows that half of the adults in England find dental charges unfair amid escalating living costs. We have warned decision-makers that NHS dentistry is in desperate need of reform.

Healthwatch Annual Report Front Cover

Our annual report 2020-21

Our nation’s health faces enormous challenges. Find out in our Annual Report to Parliament how your feedback has helped NHS and social care services improve care and our plans for the future.

3 February 2022

A female dental surgeon talking to a patient

NHS dentistry: We have co-signed an open letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer

We have co-signed an open letter addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak calling for a recovery plan for NHS dentistry.

21 October 2021

Healthwatch network awards

Healthwatch Network Awards 2021: Shortlist announced

Find out who’s in the running for a Healthwatch network award this year

20 October 2021

Colleagues presenting

What's the point? Nothing ever changes

You might think your feedback doesn’t have the power to change how health and social care services run. We want to show you how that isn’t the case.

A female dental surgeon talking to a patient

Twin crisis of access and affordability calls for a radical rethink of NHS dentistry

New data indicates the dental crisis shows no signs of slowing, with four in five people (80%) struggling to access timely care during the last COVID-19 lockdown.

Elderly woman at the dentist

Dentistry during COVID-19 insight briefing

Our latest findings show many people continue to struggle to access or afford NHS dental treatment.

Warnings of dentistry crisis as public concerns continue

We urge the Government to take urgent action to address issues with access to NHS dental care as we continue to hear from people about their poor experiences.

Our report, "Dentistry and the impact of COVID-19" found a 452% rise in calls and complaints to local Healthwatch.

8 February 2021

dentist using tools to help check a patients mouth

COVID-19 pandemic pushes NHS dentistry to crisis point, finds new report

Healthwatch England calls for action to address widespread issues with access to NHS dental care following an unprecedented surge in concerns.

9 December 2020

Dentistry tools on a tray

Dentistry and the impact of COVID-19

In our latest briefing, we share what over 1,300 people have told us about their experience of NHS dentistry during July and September 2020.

9 December 2020

Graphic of magnifying glass

What are people telling us: July to September 2020

Find out what the public has been telling us about health and social care from July - September 2020, including the issues people have faced accessing NHS dental services.

9 December 2020

Woman wearing a mask in a pharmacy

Help health and social care services recover from COVID-19 #BecauseWeAllCare

Two-thirds of people in England say they are more likely to act to improve health and social care services since the outbreak of COVID-19. Help services improve and join our campaign #BecauseWeAllCare to encourage people to share their experience.