More than a million people of working age have not visited a dentist in over two years, according to Broadstone.
A recent analysis of the ONS survey, Experiences of NHS Healthcare Services in England, highlights significant gaps in dental care across regions and demographic groups.
According to research from Broadstone, 5.9 per cent of the English working population with an NHS dentist or access to a dental hospital had their last appointment over two years ago which is equivalent to about 1.2 million people.
Additionally, 12 per cent of all English residents, or 5.7 million people, report having no dentist, including around 4.9 million working-age individuals.
The regions with the highest proportion of individuals without a dentist are the South West at 16.9 per cent, then North East and Yorkshire at 13.7 per cent. The East of England, North West, and Midlands are at 11.6 per cent and 11.4 per cent, respectively, while the South East stands at 10.8 per cent. Meanwhile, London has the lowest proportion at 10.1 per cent.
Broadstone client consulting director Emily Jones says: “These findings shine a light on a growing and concerning issue around access to dentistry in England. Oral health is a critical foundation of overall wellbeing, and untreated dental issues can lead to more severe health risks, from infections and sleep disruption to cardiovascular problems.”