Nearly five million people in England are without access to a dentist, highlighting a severe shortfall in NHS dental care.
An analysis of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Health Insight Survey by the Liberal Democrats revealed that 140,526 individuals needed dental treatment in just one month but could not access an NHS dentist. Among them, more than 1,500 resorted to visiting accident and emergency departments, while 79.7%—or 111,999 patients—were unable to secure the care they needed.
Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Helen Morgan MP called for urgent action, stating:
“As patients resort to dangerous DIY dentistry, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get ministers to act. The crisis in NHS dentistry must end—the government must act now to prevent a complete collapse of the system. The new administration must avoid repeating Conservative policies that left vast regions of the country as ‘dental deserts.’”
Reports of individuals pulling their own teeth with pliers and using spirits for pain relief underline the desperation gripping the nation.
Eddie Crouch, chair of the British Dental Association, described the problem as a widespread emergency. “The idea of ‘dental deserts’ suggests there are some areas untouched by this crisis, but there are no ‘dental oases.’ This is a nationwide problem affecting millions,” he told the Express.
According to a recent National Audit Office report, the NHS delivered 4.7 million fewer courses of dental treatment last year compared to 2019-2020. Additionally, only 40% of adults in England visited a dentist in the two years leading to March 2023, a drop from 49% pre-pandemic.
In response, the Labour Party has vowed to “rebuild NHS dentistry,” with plans to introduce 700,000 additional emergency dental appointments and launch supervised toothbrushing programs in schools. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the need for immediate intervention following a scathing Commons Health and Social Care Committee report in July, which detailed cases of patients traveling hours for care or resorting to unsafe extractions at home.
The committee called for “urgent and fundamental reform” to address what it deemed “unacceptable levels of pain and distress in the 21st century.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the system’s flaws:
“NHS dentistry has suffered years of neglect, failing both patients and staff. It’s unacceptable that people are forced to take drastic measures due to a lack of appointments. This government is committed to rebuilding NHS dentistry, starting with 700,000 additional urgent care appointments and reforms to the dental contract to encourage more NHS services for patients.”
The government’s pledge marks the start of what many hope will be a long-overdue overhaul of the nation’s dental care infrastructure.
Related topics:
The Festive Drink That Could Harm Your Teeth, According to Dentists
Radiant Smiles Launches Damon Clear Braces in Perth
Teeth Whitening Gloss at Home Bargains for £2.99 Sparks Mixed Reviews
