How often should you see a dentist? Patients warned over 'worst ever' waiting lists

The British Dental Association (BDA) has revealed that current waiting lists to see an NHS dentist are the "worst they have ever seen across the UK".

The BDA told ITV's Good Morning Britain that some dental surgeries around the country have stopped taking on new patients completely, while some people have been on waiting lists for up to a decade.

But Eddie Crouch the chair of the BDA said for some elderly people not getting dental care can actually be fatal.

"Good oral health is very relevant to general health and sadly we've got elderly people in care homes who've got dental problems that really are shortening their lifespan because they can't have an appropriate diet," he said.

"They're getting infections in their mouth, which is leading on to more complications," he continued. "You know, this is not just simply about teeth. This is about the health of the nation."

The news comes as the Office for National Statistics Experiences of NHS healthcare services in England shows 96.9% of those who do not have a dentist and who tried to access NHS dental care were unsuccessful.

Of those who tried to access NHS dentistry, but did not have a dentist, 33.5% reported having an urgent need for NHS care, with 21.3% stating they were in pain.

In some cases this has meant people are being forced to turn to "DIY dentistry" and pull out their own teeth at home because they can not access or afford an NHS dentist.

A report, which cites a YouGov poll of 2,104 people across the UK conducted in March 2023, found that 10% had admitted to attempting their own dentistry work.

More than half (56%) of the group carried it out in the previous year and 20% said they did so because they could not find an NHS dentist.

A further poll, conducted on 1,791 adults across England by Savanta, found that 27% could not get an NHS dentist when they last needed care so they had to pay for private treatment.

Some 16% said they had not been seen by an NHS dentist in the last two years because they could not get an appointment.

It's an equally concerning picture for children with recent stats, from the House of Commons Library, revealing nearly half (44.6%) of UK children have not seen an NHS dentist for over 12 months, according to new data from the House of Commons Library.

This equates to more than 5.35 million children – an increase of almost half a million since pre-pandemic data.

In some cases parents are feeling pressured to go private in order to get a dentist appointment for their children, according to the NHS.

But what impact is this "crisis" in dental care having on oral health?

How often should adults go to the dentist?

Most people assume they need a check-up every six months, but the NHS say some may not need to go so often and others may need to go sooner.

Your dentist will advise how often you need a check-up based on how good your oral health is.

The time between check-ups can vary from three months to two years, depending on how healthy your teeth and gums are and your risk of future problems.

You may need other appointments for dental treatments such as fillings, having a tooth taken out or emergency treatment.

If you have problems with your teeth between check-ups, contact your dental surgery to make an appointment.

How often should children go to the dentist?

Children should see a dentist at least once a year. This is because their enamel is weaker, putting them at greater risk of decay.

Children should be taken to the dentist when their first milk teeth appear, to help them get used to the environment, and help prevent decay or deal with any oral issues early on.

NHS dental care is free for children under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education.

How can you find an NHS dentist?

You can search for a dentist near you by entering your town, city or postcode in England on this NHS search tool. You will be given a list of dentists with all their details, and information on whether it's taking new patients or not.

For example, it may say "Accepting children aged 17 or under", "Only taking NHS patients referred by another dentist", "Not accepting new patients", or "This dentist surgery has not given a recent update on whether they're taking new NHS patients. You can contact them directly to ask."

This can be useful for knowing which clinics to call and inquire about appointments, and increase the chances of getting your child seen by an NHS dentist if they're not already registered with one.

Tooth brushing tips

The increasing pressure on dental services has made accessing a dentist a challenge for many patients due to long waiting lists or a lack of available appointments. One way to prevent any problems with your teeth if you can’t get a dentist appointment is to maintain a good oral hygiene routine.

The British Dental Association has put together some tips for helping to look after your teeth:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste not only helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease and it can also prevent bad breath.

• Your dentist or hygienist can show you how best to brush your teeth and give you advice and support on having a good oral hygiene routine.

• If you are a parent, it's really important to start teaching your child oral hygiene habits as soon as their first baby teeth come through (usually around 6 months old).

• Children need to be supervised when they brush until the age of seven, to make sure they are brushing correctly, and for long enough

• Teeth are often forgotten about, but they are important not just for your oral health but also for your general health and wellbeing.

• If you have a healthy diet, brush your teeth and visit your dentist regularly, you will minimise your risk of having oral health problems.

The NHS has great up-to-date advice and tips on how to brush teeth and dental health more widely.

The Oral Health Foundation is an independent charity focusing on promoting good oral health and provides information for patients.

Can you get an emergency dentist appointment?

If you need urgent dental work or need dental care outside of your dentist’s working hours, call NHS 111 to see if you can access an urgent dental appointment near you.

Do not contact a GP, as they will not be able to offer emergency or out-of-hours dental care.

The NHS says you should only go to A&E if you have:

• heavy bleeding

• injuries to your face, mouth, or teeth

• severe swelling, or increasing swelling of your mouth, lips, throat, neck or eye

Additional reporting PA.