No change on NHS 'dentistry deserts'

New analysis shows 61 per cent of city dentistry practices are not accepting new NHS patients - no change from six months ago. Gary Porter reveals that the true figure might be even higher...

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IT’S still just as difficult to register at an NHS dentist in Stoke-on-Trent as it was six months ago - despite the Government's promise to ‘rebuild’ NHS dentistry.

Updated analysis of the 23 city practices on the NHS's ‘Find a dentist’ website has revealed 14 - or 61 per cent - are still not currently accepting adults aged 18 or over.

The situation remains exactly the same as in November, when we last crunched the numbers.

And it's not just adults who are affected - 52 per cent of NHS dentists in Stoke-on-Trent are still not accepting children who are aged 17 or under.

In reality, many of those that say they are accepting patients ‘when availability allows’ may not be, or may have years-long waiting lists.

Those who cannot get NHS appointments are largely reliant on expensive private care.