Why are so many children not seeing a dentist?

Many dental practices are not accepting new NHS patients, leading to long waiting lists and lack of access, forcing children to miss regular checkups.

What is the Liberal Democrats' plan for NHS dentistry?

The party proposes a £750 million dental rescue plan to reform contracts, incentivize private dentists to return to the NHS, and offer free checkups for vulnerable groups.

What is being done to improve NHS dental access?

Changes to the NHS contract from April 2026 aim to pay dentists more for urgent treatments, alongside initiatives like supervised toothbrushing for children.

Home / Health / Kids' Dental Care Crisis: 40% Missed Checkups

Kids' Dental Care Crisis: 40% Missed Checkups

1 Jan

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Summary

40% of children missed a dental appointment in a year.
Significant disparities exist in dental care availability.
Adults also face long waits, with 60% overdue care.

Kids' Dental Care Crisis: 40% Missed Checkups

Recent analysis indicates a critical shortfall in dental care for children, with around 40% missing appointments in the year ending June. This national issue is compounded by a stark postcode lottery, where dental availability varies dramatically across different areas of the country. For instance, while 35% of children in Nottinghamshire haven't seen a dentist in two years, the figure rises to 56% in Somerset.

The crisis extends to adults, with approximately 60% having forgone dental care for two years or more. This widespread lack of access forces some individuals into DIY dentistry or seeking relief at emergency hospital departments. The Liberal Democrats have proposed a £750 million dental rescue plan aimed at addressing the chronic underfunding and restoring services.

In response to growing public concern and campaigns, the government announced changes to the NHS contract from April 2026. These modifications will incentivize dentists with increased pay for treating urgent cases, such as severe pain or infections. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson stated that efforts are underway to fix the inherited broken system, including rolling out emergency appointments and supervised toothbrushing programs for children.