Lib Dems Call for Fairer Funding as new data reveals 91% of Dental Practices in Worcestershire are taking on no new NHS patients

In a shocking investigation of dentistry services across the UK, new analysis by the BBC has found that 91% of dentistry practices in Worcestershire are not accepting any new NHS patients.

The figures were released alongside harrowing accounts of DIY dentistry as hard-working families and pensioners struggle to find the affordable care that they need while others have been forced to wait in agony for months due to a lack of NHS dentist appointments.

The Liberal Democrats have accused the Government of "breaking" the dental system due to a lack of investment. The party have also called for new plans to be brought forward to recruit more local NHS dentists, so no matter where you live you know you can get the NHS dental care you need.

Last month a survey conducted by Savanta ComRes for the Liberal Democrats revealed that four out of ten people cannot afford the £250 average cost of a filling from a private dentist without borrowing money or turning to friends or family for financial assistance. The same proportion said they could not afford the £370 required to have a wisdom tooth extracted, while nearly six in ten could not afford root canal surgery, which has an average cost of £970.

As a result Worcestershire Liberal Democrats started a petition in July demanding the government ensure NHS dentists are funded properly so all residents can access the care they need.

Responding to the figures, Cllr Dan Boatright who represents Pershore said:

"People in our area should know if they are in pain or face a health emergency that the NHS is there for them. Yet these scandalous figures prove NHS dentistry in Worcestershire is at breaking point.

"Our NHS dental system is broken because this Government has failed to stump up the cash. People are being forced to spend hundreds if not thousands of pounds on private dental care with some even resorting to their own at-home DIY dentistry.

"The fault for this lies solely with the Conservative Government. They have done next to nothing to tackle this crisis. Liberal Democrats are demanding these funding issues are addressed immediately and residents are given the opportunity to access an NHS dentist."