Recent figures have shown that one in three people in the UK are still struggling to find an NHS dentist, according to new research from Simplyhealth.

In the private health insurance providers Annual Dental Survey, figures revealed that just over a third of Brits, or 35 per cent of Brits, struggled to find an NHS dentist over the last year, which has increased from 23 per cent in the same period in 2008. This is despite the Government's proposals to improve access.

The figure also highlighted distinct rises in certain areas of the UK, with over half of the people in Plymouth finding it difficult to get an NHS dentist, closely followed by those in Southampton and Manchester, where 45 per cent and 43 per cent have struggled.
Many can't afford or find a dentist

The severity of the situation this year has been heightened by the economic downturn, as almost half of people across the UK have put off visiting the dentist because they are too worried about how much it will cost, compared with just 19 per cent last year.

Furthermore it seems that the credit crunch has hit hardest in the capital, as more than half of Londoners are putting off dental checks due to money worries, although it is a pattern being seen across the UK.

Speaking about the issue, Abby Bowman from Simplyhealth said: "The NHS dental contracts introduced three years ago were supposed to give more people access to dentists, but as our research shows this is only getting worse."

She added: "As the economic downturn continues, we may see more people turn to Health plans that help people prepare for unexpected health problems and spread the cost of dental bills."

All my teeth were removed

Seeing a dentist has been said to be vital for oral health. Missing appointments can have negative consequences as one real life scenario proved.

A twenty-one-year old student experienced firsthand the effects of not visiting a dentist. Around two months ago, she had all of the teeth in her mouth removed after dental problems she had went untreated.

She said: "Even with my mouth closed, I still look different. My cheeks are hollow and my face looks thinner, I look like an ugly old woman."

After she has the surgery, she was rold by the doctors that they could not fit a set of false teeth, until her gums were sufficiently healed, which could take six months. But she was also warned that there would be only a slim chance that her gums will ever recover enough for dentures to be fitted.

Amy believes that had she been able to get dental treatment earlier, then all the pain and disfigurement she has experienced might have been avoided.

She said: "I feel that if I’d managed to see a dentist sooner or could have afforded to have private treatment I wouldn't be like I am today," she says, explaining how it took months of searching and dozens of phone calls to find an NHS dentist willing to treat her - by which time it was too late.

she added: "I thought that losing all your teeth only happened to people in the Dark Ages - not a 21-year-old living in modern Britain."

This case really highlights the shortfalls in the NHS system and the huge benefits of having private health insurance.

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Look into taking out private health insurance in order to cover your dental treatment as well as any medical needs you may have.