Only 36% of adults have seen a dentist in two years in the South East

New workforce data shows that as of March 2024, there were, on average, 26.2 full-time equivalent (FTE) dentists per 100,000 people in England. This figure is 27.4 in the South East.

Most regions had about one dentist join the workforce for every dentist that left in 2023/24. However, more dental nurses left the workforce than entered it in every NHS region in 2023/24. The rate of new trainee dental nurses was higher than that of leavers in all regions.

Liz Jarvis said:

“I regularly hear from constituents who simply cannot find an NHS dentist in Eastleigh. Many are faced with the choice between taking on another cost while trying to run a home on a tight budget or forgo dental care altogether."

“We are now seeing already overstretched hospitals and A&Es dealing with an increased number of patients with dental problems. This is an inditement of the system."

“The previous Government left the NHS and dental care underfunded, understaffed, and fundamentally broken. The new Government must make tackling this crisis a priority.”