10 March 2024 , 19:39
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Millions of people are having to take time off work because of oral health problems amid a collapse in access to NHS dentists.
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A national survey reveals one in ten adults in England, more than four million people, had to take off at least two weeks off in the last three years due to problems with teeth and gums.
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Among younger workers aged 16 to 34 the problem is even worse, with one in five missing at least a fortnight due to their oral health, according to the Oral Health Index.
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The revelation comes after NHS data indicated 83% of surgeries are not accepting adult NHS patients.
Eddie Crouch, chair of the British Dental Association, said: “The collapse of NHS dentistry isn’t just hurting millions of patients, but the wider economy.
“Every time Ministers take a miserly approach to funding it hits other parts of their balance sheet. Not just the costs hitting our hospitals and GP surgeries, but the millions of lost hours in our workplaces.”
The UK spends the lowest proportion of its health budget on dentistry of any European nation.
Dr Ben Atkins, of Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme, which commissioned the polling, said: “The findings have underscored the importance of addressing the crisis in NHS dentistry. A mix of investment in services and preventative programmes is needed.”
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “We want to make access to NHS dental care faster, simpler and fairer and we’re already seeing progress. But there is still more to do. Our Dental Recovery Plan will create 2.5 million additional appointments by offering cash incentives to dentists to take on new NHS patients.”