Lots of people put off visiting the dentist until they have a problem. Toothache can mean sleepless nights, time off work and a lot of bother. Some people even go to their doctor rather than a dentist and can end up needing antibiotics too.

RETURN is a project which aims to develop and test some material to help adults who only use dental services when they have a problem.

The project started in August 2018. The team are working closely with local people to develop material they would find useful. By the end of 2019 we will be doing a small pilot study for a year. This will lead on to a big study involving over 1,000 people. They will be asked to take
part when they visit a dental service with an urgent problem. This will help us see if the material works and helps them get back into dental care.

Health Inequalities
Putting off dental visits is more common in poorer areas of the country and is a cause of health inequalities because decayed teeth might need to be taken out rather than just filled when dental treatment is delayed. This affects people’s smiles and how confident they feel.