13million people cannot see an NHS dentist as option has ‘ceased to exist’ for Brits, British Dental Association warns

THIRTEEN million people cannot see an NHS dentist, says the British Dental Association.

It warned the option has “ceased to exist” for almost a quarter of the nation’s adult population.

Analysis found 5.4 million people had given up trying to get an appointment in the past two years.

Another 5.6 million tried and failed to see a dentist, 1.25 million said it was too expensive, and another 780,000 were stuck on a waiting list.

Experts have previously warned NHS dentistry is on its last legs as eight in ten clinics shut their doors to new patients last year.

The BDA met with new Health Secretary Wes Streeting on his first day in the job and told him reform is desperately needed.

Dentists are turning their back on NHS work because it does not pay well enough.

This is creating a vicious cycle as patients’ oral health gets worse and they need more intensive treatment.

Shawn Charlwood, chair of the BDA, said: “NHS dentistry has effectively ceased to exist for millions across this country.

"These numbers are a stark reminder we need ambition to save this service.”

Labour pledged during its election campaign to provide 700,000 more NHS dentist appointments every year. It also promised to pay dentists to work in underserved areas.

An NHS England spokesman said: “Our staff have worked incredibly hard to cope with increased demand, but this survey makes it clear there is much more to do.”

A Department of Health spokesperson said: “It is unacceptable that so many people struggle to simply get a dental appointment, and these figures lay bare the scale of the situation.

“There are large parts of the country where NHS dentistry barely exists anymore.

“We will rebuild NHS dentistry, starting with an extra 700,000 emergency dentistry appointments.

“We will also reform the dental contract to encourage more dentists to offer NHS services to patients.

“Prevention is better than cure, so we will also introduce supervised tooth brushing for three to five-year-olds.

“These changes are fundamental to us building an NHS that is fit for the future.”