Dental Crisis: Only 4 in 10 patients in Somerset have been seen by an NHS dentist in past two years

The number of people who’ve seen an NHS dentist in Somerset has plummeted in recent years, shocking new figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats have revealed.

Only 38%, or 4 in 10 adults in Somerset were able to secure an appointment with an NHS dentist in the past two years. This is down from 6 in 10 who saw an NHS dentist in the two years up to 2018.

In a similarly desperate situation, only 45% of children in Somerset have been able to see a dentist in the last 12 months, despite the NHS recommending under-18s see a dentist at least once a year. This is down from 60% of children who had seen an NHS dentist in the year to 2018.

The stark figures were compiled by the House of Commons Library following a request by the Liberal Democrats.

It comes as distressing polling has found that one in five (21%) adults unable to see a dentist have carried out DIY dentistry in a desperate attempt to relieve their pain.

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to set out an NHS winter rescue plan this week as soon as Parliament returns, to provide urgent help to those living in dental agony. This would also include immediate action to reduce dangerously long ambulance waiting times and speed up access to healthcare for the almost seven million people stuck on NHS waiting lists.

Gideon Amos, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Taunton Deane, said:

“Far too many people in Somerset are struggling to see an NHS dentist and get the affordable dental healthcare they need. In our recent survey in Taunton and Wellington, over half don’t have and only a quarter had succeeded on registering for one - but like the Liberal Democrats 95% believe all necessary dental services should be readily available via the NHS.

We’ve reached a breaking point in this crisis. NHS dentist appointments are becoming harder to get than ever and some practices are shutting their doors to NHS patients altogether, yet the government is missing in action.

As the cost of living catastrophe continues to hit households hard, private dentistry is not a feasible alternative for the many people living in pain. 

It’s a national scandal that people in our community are desperately turning to dangerous DIY dentistry because our public health services have been run into the ground by this Conservative government. 

The Liberal Democrats are urging the Government to fund an NHS winter rescue package to improve access to NHS dental appointments, reduce ambulance waiting times and speed up treatment for those who need it.”

Survey responses in Taunton showed local concern:

Through the recent survey, constituents were able to share their personal worries with the Liberal Democrats. “I’ve recently had a baby and am entitled to free dentistry, but I can’t use this without an NHS place,” one respondent said. “Pregnancy and post-natal hormones can have damaging effects on teeth and gum health, but I can’t get help. I also have a 3-year-old daughter who won’t be taken on an NHS list either.”

“I have many patients with oral cancers who are unable to register with an NHS dentist,” another wrote. “The dentists play a huge role in identifying oral cancers by doing mouth checks and feeling for neck lumps… These people cannot afford private dental care. It’s appalling!”