Abstract
Objective
To describe the users of a Dental Access Centre (DAC) situated in an area of England with a mixed socioeconomic profile, their pattern of use, and their perception of the role of the service.
Method
A sample of users was drawn from a DAC in Cheshire's clinical database. A postal questionnaire was sent to these users via a three-stage mailing, using a prize draw incentive to promote response. After the third mailing stage, non-responders were also contacted by telephone.
Results
A high proportion of users lived relatively near the DAC. Over 80% of respondents were unregistered with a dentist in Cheshire. The centre appeared to be used for symptomatic care only, with no respondents reporting using the centre for routine care (including check-ups).
Conclusion
The role of DACs was originally envisaged as providing a service for unregistered patients wanting convenient, accessible, emergency care, and as providing routine National Health Service (NHS) care, including check-ups in geographical areas where there is limited availability of NHS care in general dental practice. In a geographical area with low dental need, one might expect the DAC to fulfil the second of these roles. However, this study suggests that even in this type of area, users of the DAC who responded to the questionnaire viewed it as a source of emergency care and not as a provider of routine care.
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