Fewer than 10% of dental practices are currently accepting new NHS patients, according to a recent investigation. The study revealed that access to NHS dentists for adults is extremely limited in most regions of England, except for the West Midlands and London areas where a higher number of practices are open to new NHS patients.

Although there have been some minor improvements since a similar investigation was conducted two years ago, advocates argue that progress has been slow under the current Labour administration. They emphasize the need for proper funding to ensure universal access to dental care.

In response to the oral health crisis affecting many individuals who are resorting to extreme measures like pulling out their own teeth, The Mirror has launched the Dentists for All campaign.

Adrian Ramsay MP, health lead for the Green Party, who led the latest research, criticized the government for the lack of progress in improving access to dental care. The investigation found that only a small percentage of dental practices, particularly the largest chain, MyDentist, are currently accepting new NHS patients.

The study conducted by the Green Party highlighted that less than 10% of dental practices in England are actively taking on new NHS patients. The ongoing funding challenges in NHS dentistry have been a longstanding issue, with insufficient resources leading to a decline in services and dentists leaving the NHS for private practice.

While the Labour government has increased the annual budget for NHS dentistry, further reforms and additional funding of £1.5 billion per year are deemed necessary by the British Dental Association to restore NHS dentistry as a universal service.

Addressing the crisis in dental care, the BDA stressed the importance of real reform and sustainable funding to meet the needs of the population. Despite recent efforts to increase dental training places and expand professional registration exams for overseas-trained dentists, more work is needed to improve access to dental services across the country.

The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the challenges in accessing dental care and highlighted efforts to rebuild NHS dentistry, increase treatment courses, prioritize patients in need, and enhance prevention programs for children. The government aims to enhance the dental workforce by expanding training opportunities and reducing regulatory barriers for practicing dentists.