Millions unable to find a dentist on the NHS for two years

10.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 17th Jan 2008

Dentist

More than seven million patients have been unable to see an NHS dentist for almost two years. Most of those denied access have paid for private care instead, but almost three million have gone without treatment altogether, say the Citizens Advice Bureau. The figure includes thousands of children and is much higher than government estimates. The charity is calling for Primary Care Trusts, the bodies responsible for dentistry in England and Wales, to step up funding to improve care for NHS patients.

Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson said "The crisis in NHS dentistry is this Government's hidden legacy. This survey directly contradicts the ministers' repeated claims that more people than ever are seeing an NHS dentist. Despite the much trumpeted reforms, finding an NHS dentist has become as rare as hen's teeth. The Government cannot seriously expect elderly people and those on low incomes to travel over 10 miles for vital treatment. We need an urgent review into why the reforms two years ago have done so little to improve access."