13 million people cannot see an NHS dentist because the option ‘ceases to exist’ for Brits, warns British Dental Association

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

He warned that the option “ceased to exist” for almost a quarter of the country’s adult population.

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The analysis revealed that 5.4 million people gave up trying to schedule an appointment in the last 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 already warned that NHS dentistry is in decline, as eight in ten practices closed their doors to new patients last year.

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

Dentists are turning their backs on NHS work because it doesn’t pay well enough.

This is creating a vicious cycle as patients’ oral health worsens and they require more intensive treatment.

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

“These figures are a stark reminder that we need ambition to save this service.”

Labor committed during its election campaign to providing an additional 700,000 NHS dental appointments every year. He also promised to pay dentists to work in underserved areas.

An NHS England spokesperson said: “Our staff have worked hard to cope with the increase in demand, but this research makes it clear there is much more to do.”