The data unit analysed more than 6,500 practices on the NHS ‘Find a Dentist’ site and found that 4,800 (73 per cent) do not currently accept adult patients. The data revealed that one in 10 constituencies in England does not have a single NHS dentist accepting adult patients.
The Daily Mirror and the BDA carried out a joint follow-up investigation. The team called a representative sample of 100 practices currently listed as accepting adult NHS patients. The results show 86 were unable to take on new adults, with dozens stating they were at capacity, and one reported a waiting list of up to 10 years.
The Daily Mirror suggested that this could mean the total proportion of practices incapable of taking on new adult NHS patients may be as high as 96 per cent.
According to the BDA, changes made to the NHS.uk website under the previous government have made it difficult for patients to identify whether listed practices can offer appointments to new patients. The NHS website asks practices whether they would take on NHS patients “when availability allows”. Previously, dentists were asked to state whether they were currently taking on NHS patients.
The professional body has stressed that the government must act swiftly on its pledge to reform the contract fuelling the NHS dentistry crisis. The BDA said that there may soon be no service left to save.
Eddie Crouch, chair of the BDA, said, “Every week, I speak to MPs reporting how deep the crisis in NHS dentistry goes. There are votes to be won and lost here, and constituents are looking for action.
“If this ends up as another line on a pledge card at the next general election there simply won’t be a service left to save.
“The information on the NHS website was redesigned to give cover to the last government. But until the government keep their promises, millions will face long hours on the phone, struggling to access care.”
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care, said, “It is unacceptable to this government that so many people are struggling to find an NHS dentist. We are committed to rebuilding the sector, but it will take time.
“We will start with an extra 700,000 urgent dentistry appointments to help those who need it most, and we will increase access by reforming the dental contract to make NHS work more appealing to dentists.”