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Frustration over access to dental care fuelling abuse against dental professionals, says survey

2 mins read Workplace issues/your health Complaint handling
In a Dental Protection survey of over 1,300 UK dental professionals, more than half (57 per cent) say they have experienced or witnessed verbal or physical abuse from patients or their relatives in the past 12 months, with 64 per cent of those saying the incidents resulted from frustration over long waiting times for appointments and 59 per cent saying it related to the treatment they received.

In addition, 58 per cent of those who have experienced or witnessed abuse in the past 12 months said it affected their mental health, and over a third (37 per cent) said an increase in abuse and intimidation from patients has made them reconsider their career in dentistry.

Nearly a third of dental professionals (31 per cent) also feel abuse against dental professionals is not taken seriously by police.

Dental Protection, part of the Medical Protection Society (MPS) – the world’s leading protection organisation supporting over 300,000 healthcare professionals – called on the government and police to take “every possible step” to tackle the issue.

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