Access to NHS dentistry remains in crisis, with nearly 14 million adults in England struggling to secure appointments, according to new analysis by the British Dental Association (BDA).
The findings, based on the latest GP Patient Survey, reveal that 13.8 million people are currently unable to access NHS dental services — representing more than a quarter of the adult population. Despite slight shifts in patient behaviour, overall access has shown little improvement compared to the previous year.
The report found that 5.7 million adults had attempted but failed to obtain NHS dental care in the past two years, a reduction of 700,000 from the previous year. However, this improvement is overshadowed by a significant increase in the number of people who are no longer trying to book appointments at all — rising by 500,000 to a total of 5.9 million, driven by the belief that access is impossible.
Financial barriers are also contributing to the crisis. An estimated 1.3 million adults said they were deterred from seeking treatment due to cost, while 880,000 reported being stuck on waiting lists.
While the Labour Party has pledged to reform NHS dentistry, recent comments from care minister Stephen Kinnock suggest there are no plans to increase the service’s budget. According to the BDA, NHS dental funding has been slashed by over one-third in real terms since 2010.
The BDA has warned that the system is in critical condition and requires urgent and substantial investment. Campaigners argue that recent government measures — including the so-called dental recovery plan — are insufficient to address the scale of the crisis.
Mark Jones, founder of campaign group Toothless in England, described the plan as a temporary fix, saying that minor reforms to contracts and performance targets are no substitute for serious investment. He emphasised the need for systemic reform and a long-term commitment to making NHS dentistry truly accessible to all.
The government has been contacted for comment.
