Significantly lower levels of satisfaction amongst dental patients from ethnic minority backgrounds 'cause for concern'

The General Dental Council (GDC) published its Public Research 2020 report this week, which captures the views of the public on a wide range of issues.

The independent research revealed that, as in previous years, satisfaction with dental care and treatment overall remains very high (96%).

However, the 2020 survey included a boost of people from ethnic minority backgrounds which was designed to improve insight into potentially different experiences.

This discovered satisfaction was statistically significantly lower (91%) amongst ethnic minorities overall, and the results indicate that Black people are the least likely (83%) to be satisfied.

Reacting to the findings, GDC Executive Director, Strategy, Stefan Czerniawski, said: 'It is reassuring that satisfaction levels overall remain very high, but the significantly lower levels amongst people from ethnic minority backgrounds are a cause for concern. This is an important challenge to all of us involved in dentistry as we have a shared responsibility to ensure equality in the provision of dental services.