GETTING an NHS dentist in Worcester is proving more difficult than ever.

New analysis from The Times newspaper showed nine in 10 dentists in England were not taking on NHS patients and this was reflected in our research.

We approached a number of dentists in the Worcester area and, of those we were able to reach, none of them were taking on NHS patients.

Bhandal Dental Practice, in Ombersley Road, was not able to be contacted but, according to nhs.uk, the dentist is accepting NHS patients over 18, including those entitled to free care - the only one in Worcester accepting adult patients.

Worcester News: DENTIST: Harder than ever to get an NHS dentist in Worcester. Picture: PADENTIST: Harder than ever to get an NHS dentist in Worcester. Picture: PA (Image: PA)

Gentle Dental Care Of Worcester, in London Road, told us it is accepting NHS patients but only under 16.

Among those not currently taking on NHS patients are My Dentist in Ankerage Green and Bupa in St Mary’s Street.

Some city dentists are only taking patients that have been referred by the NHS. Among those currently listed on the nhs.uk are:

 

  • Trinity Gate Orthodontics, St Nicholas Street,
  • Moor Street Dental Clinic, Moor Street,
  • Bupa, Bromyard Road, St John’s
  • Ebworth House Dental Surgery, Shrubbery Avenue
  • St John’s Dental, Malvern Road
  • Redcliffe Orthodontics, Battenhall Avenue

Many NHS dentists take patients off their lists if they have not attended an appointment in a set amount of time.

 

2,000 dentists quit nationally

 

The issues may be in part due to the number of dentists leaving the profession nationally.

A new report, by the Association of Dental Groups (ADG), shows the number of NHS dentists fell from 23,733 at the end of 2020 to 21,544 at the end of January this year, according to the paper.

The Guardian newspaper has estimated that around four million people have been left without access to NHS care as a result, due to the 2,000 dentists quitting last year. 

An NHS spokesperson said: “Dentistry is an important NHS service and that’s why we have taken unprecedented action to support NHS dentists including providing financial protection to ensure dental practices can continue to offer valuable services for patients, and committing up to an additional £50 million for people requiring urgent care treatment."