Lack of up-to-date information is hampering patients' efforts to access NHS dental care in Cheshire, a report has revealed.

Healthwatch Cheshire East, an independent consumer watchdog, has noted an increase in queries regarding dentistry during the pandemic, mostly regarding the outdated information on the NHS Services website.

The outdated information means that people are forced to contact individual dental practices and ask whether they are accepting NHS patients.

Another common query is the treatment received at emergency dentists, as the problem is fixed quickly for the short term but patients are still in need of proper dentistry service and are often left unable to make appointments due to waitlists at NHS dentists.

A Sandbach resident working in Macclesfield commented: "I saw an emergency dentist as I ended up with an abscess but as tooth still hasn't been fixed it's started to flare up again and I need to sort the problem not just get more antibiotics as just going round in circles."

Confusion around access has been a problem in the NHS for some time. While some people find it easier to register with dentists overseas, others are offered appointments in a few months, but some are told to simply keep calling and hope their number gets picked next.

Alongside this, confusion around dentist registration appears to be growing. Some patients have had their registration cancelled due to "inactivity" and will have to re-register in the new year and hope that they don't have a dental issue until then.

The Cheshire and Merseyside dental helpline is also experiencing strain as it's able to help fewer patients. Without appointments or any actual treatment being received from this helpline, patients are growing frustrated with the issue.

"Perhaps someone could explain to me why it's called and emergency treatment line, yet there is no urgency or indeed appointments? It's supposed to be a 'triage' help line, absolute joke," said one of person quoted in the report.

It is Healthwatch's duty to monitor and assist the public in their health needs where possible, and share these comment and reports with NHS England in order to improve services.

For more details, visit the Healthwatch Cheshire East website.