National disgrace

According to new data from NHS Digital, nearly five million children (4.9m) have not had a free check-up in the 12 months to June 2017, despite NICE guidelines recommending children should be seen by a dentist at least once a year.

Figures also show that almost half (48.6 per cent) of adults in England have not seen an NHS dentist in the last two years – a total of 21m – a slight rise on 2016 figures (48.2 per cent).

The dire attendance figures come as income from the patient charge has hit over £780m, up by two thirds on a decade ago. Polling for the BDA has revealed huge gaps in awareness among parents on eligibility for free dentistry, with one in four parents unaware that routine check-ups are free for children aged under 18. 

Nearly one in five adult patients has delayed treatment for reasons of cost according to official statistics.