Data reveals rise in “dental deserts”

The Commons Library research shows how the rise in “dental deserts” has left people struggling to get an appointment, with some areas now having over 3,000 people for every NHS dentist. The figures show that 65 of 104 local areas in England have seen the number of people per dentist rise since 2019.

Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, warned on April 19, 2023, that the dental crisis is leading desperate people to resort to DIY dentistry. He will call for a dental healthcare rescue plan, including spending the estimated £400 million of funding for NHS dental services that went unspent this year to boost the number of appointments. The Liberal Democrats are also calling for reforms to the NHS dental contract, additional resources for mobile dental units to visit schools, community centres and care homes, and the removal of VAT on children’s toothbrushes and toothpaste.