After completing a wide range of preparatory research in this project so far, it was time to begin defining what problem I would like to solve through design. After a reflection period on my research, four problem areas in particular stuck with me:
I completed a mind map on these four to remind myself of their main symptoms and contributing factors:
<aside> ⭐ REFLECTION: In order to decide the direction I want to take this project, I would like to read around some more on these issues. Upon reflection, I want to focus on either the emergency department issue or the dental crisis. I feel that apps surrounding managing risk factors are very common and there isn’t much room for progression in this field. With regards to general practice, I feel the issue is very broad. An app to help manage dental health is a lot easier to create than an app to help with every condition to ever exist that a GP would be presented with. I think it’s hard to digitalise the general practice industry past the point of digital appointment scheduling. That along with the fact that exploring general practice further simply doesn’t interest me.
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The dental crisis in the UK is a growing concern. A combination of increased demand for dental services, a shortage of dentists, and the high cost of private dental care has led to a situation where many people are unable to access timely and affordable dental treatment. This situation is particularly severe for low-income individuals and families, who often cannot afford private dental care and must rely on the overstretched National Health Service (NHS). The lack of access to dental care is leading to a rise in dental health issues, including tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems. This crisis underscores the need for new solutions to improve access to and the affordability of dental care.
People forced to pull out their own teeth amid NHS dental crisis, report finds
“The committee received written evidence from more than 30 Healthwatch groups, with case studies provided by Healthwatch Lincolnshire highlighting how people had pulled problem teeth out with pliers, or been forced to make a five-hour round trip to see an NHS dentist. A roundtable hosted by the committee in June also heard accounts of patients extracting their own teeth at home, as well as people feeling isolated due to worsening oral health.”
<aside> ⭐ REFLECTION: I found this article shocking. The thought of pulling my own teeth out sounds absolutely horrific, however it highlights the extent of the dental crisis in the UK. For someone to make themselves go through that much pain points to how impossible it is to access this service in the UK. I am questioning is the correct approach perhaps prevention rather than cure? Is educating the population on the importance of good dental hygiene a way to free up some of the workload on dentists?
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