Nearly half of the UK public have not seen an NHS dentist for two years, according to a new report.
A study by the Telegraph newspaper claims that over 23.1 million Brits received no dental care on the NHS in the two years to last September, according to statistics obtained by the Conservatives .
The figure represents a 4 per cent increase since the Government introduced the new contract in 2006.
The figures also revealed a link between a decrease in the number of people routinely seeing a dentist and a rise in the number of hospital admissions for dental treatment .
In 2007, almost 240,000 people were admitted to hospital wards, a rise of 6 per cent on figures for the previous year.
The Government hoped the introduction of new contracts would enable more patients to register with an NHS dentist and encourage preventive care amongst the public.
However, many industry experts believe that the reforms have only led to services becoming worse.
Many dentists have subsequently rejected NHS patients and are providing less complex treatment amid concerns that their income will be affected, while some have left the NHS altogether and gone private .
Shadow health secretary, Andrew Lansley, said: "We know that there are people out there who are pulling out their own teeth because they can't find an NHS dentist ."
"Some patients have no option but to take their problems to hospital A&E, a service which is already under great pressure."
He added:" These shocking figures are proof that Labour can't negotiate a contract with NHS professionals."
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Third Of Brits Gone Two Years Without Access To Dental Care
Thu, 17 Apr 2008
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