https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/how-long-do-we-have-wait-action-britains-dentistry-crisis
MARK JONES of Toothless in England says the devastating report from MPs on Britain’s worsening dental crisis shows we need immediate action — and explains what must be done
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Over the past four years, Toothless in England has highlighted the deepening crisis in NHS dentistry, exposing the profound suffering of patients and the apparent lack of resolve from successive governments and NHS England to address the dental crisis. Despite some policy promises, the plight of dental patients remains dire in 2025, with access to care still elusive for many, perpetuating a public health emergency that affects both individuals and society at large.
Dental patients continue to suffer in 2025, a stark reminder of the government and NHS England’s failure to deliver systemic change. The statistics are grim: up to 97 per cent of new patients seeking NHS dental care are turned away, and 90 per cent of practices are not accepting new adult NHS patients. Waiting lists stretch to years, forcing desperate measures — with some patients resorting to DIY dentistry with pliers, while others travel abroad for “affordable” treatment.
Stories abound of crumbling teeth, chronic pain, untreated infections, deaths caused by dental sepsis and undiagnosed mouth cancers, with vulnerable groups like the elderly and low-income families hit hardest. For instance, cancer patients face delays in life-saving treatments due to inaccessible dental check-ups, a ripple effect Toothless has repeatedly highlighted.
The consequences extend beyond oral health. Untreated dental issues cost the economy through lost productivity, burden A&E departments with non-dental emergencies, and widen health inequalities.
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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/how-long-do-we-have-wait-action-britains-dentistry-crisis