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.
However, among those who could not get an appointment, more than a quarter (26%) said they had treated themselves, while 19% said they went abroad for treatment.
Almost seven in 10 (69%) were forced to pay for private care.
Eddie Crouch, chairman of the British Dental Association, said: “Desperate people are reaching for pliers or cheap flights because for many NHS dentistry has effectively ceased to exist.
“This service can have a future, but only if government is willing to pick up pace and keep its promises.”
Elsewhere, the poll found 74% of the 1,091 people questioned are either very concerned or fairly concerned about the current availability of dental care on the NHS.
Half of those who...
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.
However, among those who could not get an appointment, more than a quarter (26%) said they had treated themselves, while 19% said they went abroad for treatment.
Almost seven in 10 (69%) were forced to pay for private care.
Eddie Crouch, chairman of the British Dental Association, said: “Desperate people are reaching for pliers or cheap flights because for many NHS dentistry has effectively ceased to exist.
“This service can have a future, but only if government is willing to pick up pace and keep its promises.”
Elsewhere, the poll found 74% of the 1,091 people questioned are either very concerned or fairly concerned about the current availability of dental care on the NHS.
Half of those who...
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The Chronicle (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 21, 2025