Almost a third of people in England use private dentists amid NHS dental crisis
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Almost a third of people in England now use private dentists, with the proportion increasing from 22% in 2023 to 32% late last year, according to Healthwatch England. The scarcity of NHS dental care has led to a sharp rise in the number of poorer households forced to pay for fillings and extractions. The reliance on paid-for treatment is significant, with those who describe themselves as struggling financially almost doubling their use of private dentistry from 14% to 27%. Dental care is becoming increasingly unaffordable for low-income individuals, who may also miss out on free NHS dental care due to lack of access to a dentist. Healthwatch England is calling for ministers to tackle the access crisis by giving everyone the right to see an NHS dentist. The organization's findings highlight a systemic failure with real human consequences.
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