One in seven people in Dorset do not have a dentist

The British Dental Association said NHS Dentistry has "ceased to exist" for new patients as it called for the Government to "rescue" the service.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics’ health insight survey show 14% of the 1,606 respondents in the NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board did not have a dentist.

Meanwhile, 44% had an NHS dentist and 42% had a private dentist.

Across England, an estimated 13% of people aged 16 and over in England did not have a dentist.

The figures show significant inequality, with 9% of the least deprived not having a dentist compared to 22% for the most deprived.

Responding to the data, the BDA stressed the Government must "move at pace to rescue the struggling service".

The professional body added it welcomed the tone set by the Government in accepting NHS dentistry is "broken", and stated that closing the oral health gap represents a "moral crusade".

Eddie Crouch, BDA chair, said: "For new patients NHS dentistry has effectively ceased to exist.

"Millions are struggling to access needed care, and those with the highest needs and lowest incomes are the hardest hit."

He added: "A new Government has made the right noises, but deeds need to match words."

Across the South West, 115 people without a dentist tried to access NHS dental care in the month before being surveyed. The majority (97%) said they were unsuccessful in getting an appointment.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson 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."