New Analysis Suggests Almost Half of NHS Dental Practices Not Accepting New Adult Patients
In what has been called an “emerging crisis”, the BBC has reported that 48% of 2500 dental practices on NHS Choices are not accepting new NHS adult patients, whilst 40% are not accepting new NHS child patients.
NHS England have said that 95% of people seeking an appointment could get one, however the BDA condemned the news, accusing the Government of only commissioning enough dental care to treat half the adult population. If NHS England’s figure is accurate, it could also suggest that at least one in twenty people are unable to have their dental care needs met on the NHS.
The BDA also stated that 21 million adults and 5 million children may not have seen a dentist on the NHS recently and branded the entire situation an “absolute disgrace”.
The acute lack of NHS places has forced some people to attempt DIY dentistry, to the point of pulling their own teeth out. One couple, who had tried for four years to find NHS places, have been left in agony and waiting for NHS places, their teeth ruined by attempts to treat themselves and manage the pain in the interim.
In England, you may be eligible for free dental care if you are under the age of 18, under 19 and in some form of full time education, pregnant or recently you have given birth within 12 months, or are in receipt of some kind of benefits.
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