NHS patient numbers fall for the first time since 2013

The extensive annual report into NHS dental care in England found that a total of 30m patients, 55.7 per cent of the total population, were seen in the 24 month period to June 30, 2015; a substantial 60,000 decrease on the previous quarter.

The British Dental Health Foundation hopes that these results will create a new impetus for government, the British public and the dental profession to improve dental care access nationwide.

Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation commented; “What this report overwhelmingly indicates is that more needs to be done to improve awareness of the importance of maintaining regular dental appointments to improve dental health.

“Many people have their personal reasons to not visit a dentist but these findings highlight a worrying trend; NHS dentistry has been treading water for a few years now, in terms of public take up, and this recent fall cannot be allowed to turn into a continuing thing; the British public must do more to support their NHS.