Call to 'pick up pace' on dentist cover

MORE than a quarter of people who failed to get an appointment with an NHS dentist in the last two years treated themselves at home, while almost one in five went abroad, according to a poll.

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The survey of 1,091 adults, conducted by Ipsos exclusively for the PA news agency, found fewer than half (48%) had made an appointment with an NHS dentist in the last two years.

Experts urged the Government to “pick up pace and keep its promises” on dentistry, to avoid patients “reaching for pliers or cheap flights”.

More than a third (36%) had not tried, while 18% said they could not get an appointment.

Of those who had secured an appointment, 36% said they waited longer than they would have liked, while 13% were forced to travel outside their local area for care.