How easy is it to find an NHS dentist? It depends where you live
Summary
Many dental practices in England have stopped offering NHS dental care over the past 10 years, making it hard for some people to find a dentist through the NHS. This change is creating a system where access to dental care depends more on where people live and what they can afford.Key Facts
- Nearly 600 dental practices in England have withdrawn from NHS dentistry in the last decade.
- More than 10% of practices that once offered NHS care no longer do.
- Some areas, like Cornwall, Devon, and Northamptonshire, have seen large drops in NHS dental services.
- NHS dental appointments are 8% lower than before the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Six out of ten adults have not seen an NHS dentist in the last two years.
- Only 38% of people trying to get a new NHS dental appointment in the last two years succeeded.
- Dentists report that NHS contracts often lose money, leading them to stop offering NHS care.
- Patients left without NHS dental care may have to go to emergency rooms for pain relief.
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