Figures show millions of adults haven’t been to an NHS dentist in the last 2 years

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Figures show that millions of adults in England haven’t been to the dentist in the last 2 years, despite advice from dentists recommending routine checks every 6-12 months.

Statistics from NHS Digital have revealed that 21 million adults haven’t been to an NHS dentist in the last 2 years; this equates to almost half of the adult population.

Research also suggests that a large proportion of children aren’t attending regular appointments, despite the fact that NHS dental care is available free of charge for children. In the 24-month period leading up to June 2017, over 40 percent of children didn’t go to the dentist.

The British Dental Association claims that there is a lack of clarity about NHS dental fees and representatives believe that the government isn’t doing enough to encourage parents to take advantage of free NHS dental services for their children. Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen, chair of General Practice at the BDA, said that the fact that 5 million children are missing out on free dental treatment is a “national disgrace” and blamed successive governments for failing to prioritise oral health. Tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admission for children, even though it is almost always preventable.

According to a BDA poll, a quarter of parents are unaware that check-ups are free for children on the NHS.

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