A recent analysis by Broadstone reveals a worrying trend in dental care access across England, with more than a million working-age adults having not visited a dentist in over two years. The findings, based on the ONS survey Experiences of NHS Healthcare Services in England, underscore significant regional and demographic disparities in dental care access.
According to the research, 5.9% of the English working population with an NHS dentist or access to a dental hospital had their last appointment over two years ago. This amounts to approximately 1.2 million people who have not received recent dental care. Additionally, 12% of the entire English population, or 5.7 million individuals, report having no dentist. Of these, nearly 4.9 million are working-age adults.
Geographically, the South West of England has the highest percentage of residents without a dentist at 16.9%, followed by the North East and Yorkshire at 13.7%. Other regions with significant gaps in dental access include the East of England (11.6%), the North West (11.4%), and the Midlands (11.4%). The South East reports 10.8%, with London having the lowest proportion at 10.1%.
Emily Jones, client consulting director at Broadstone, commented on the implications of these findings: “These statistics highlight a growing and concerning issue regarding access to dental care in England. Oral health is integral to overall wellbeing, and neglecting dental issues can lead to serious health consequences, including infections, sleep disruptions, and even cardiovascular problems.”
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