Chelmsford and Rochford among England's 'dental deserts'
Analysis from the Local Government Association say the districts have some of the fewest NHS dental surgeries per thousand people.
Last updated 3rd Oct 2022
Rochford and Chelsmford are said to be two of England's 'dental deserts' - with some of the lowest number of NHS dental surgeries per thousand people in the country.
That's according to analysis from the Local Government Association (LGA), who have used data collected by the Care Quality Commission.
The LGA says the government must urgently act to address shortages in dental care.
Hundreds of people across Essex have struggled to access surgeries - with some resorting to DIY dentistry as a result.
"The Government should reform the contract it has with dental surgeries"
Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA's community wellbeing board, said:
"This stark new analysis shows a shortage in affordable dental treatments for communities all over the country.
"In particular, it is concerning that it is rural areas as well as those living with the highest levels of deprivation that are more likely to miss out on NHS dental provision.
"As we continue to feel the effect of the cost-of-living crisis, a lack of NHS dentists could risk people choosing to forgo routine dental treatments or even resort to DIY dentistry, risking more costly emergency dental treatments being needed further down the line.
"The Government should reform the contract it has with dental surgeries as well as develop a workforce strategy to ensure we can have affordable dental treatments for communities across the country.
"Councils also need a real-terms increase in their public health grant so they can provide vital oral health improvement programmes to prevent longer-term health problems."
"Tinkering at the margins will do nothing to help"
British Dental Association chairman Eddie Crouch said:
"The Government must be more ambitious in its plans to reform NHS dentistry. To save this service we need real commitment - root-and-branch reform and adequate funding.
A broken contract is forcing dentists out of the NHS every day it remains in force. Tinkering at the margins will do nothing to help the patients who need us most."