Thousands of people get help between 'Dental Desert' in Wiltshire

Peter DavisonLocal democracy reporting service

Shortage of NHS dentists means that people are turning to the emergency department in frustration

Getty images wearing a dentist purple latex gloves and blue disposable overalls. He is also wearing two masks and holding a dental device in a patient's mouth, while another dentist appears in the background. — Shortage of NHS dentists means that people are turning to the emergency department in frustration

Thousands of people are reporting to the emergency departments of the hospital with toothache as people struggle to show NHS dental appointments, data.

With toothache and facial pain between January 2021 and May 2025, more than 3,500 people arrived at Swindon, A&E of Great Western Hospital in Wiltshire, the freedom of information request has been detected.

According to the local democracy reporting service, Chippeneham’s Liberal Democrat MP Sansar MP Sarah Gibson, who presented a request for data, said Wiltshire became a “dental desert”.

A spokesman from NHS England South West said Government’s 10 -year plan To make NHS contracts more attractive to dentists.

“These figures suggest that the cost of the government is not supporting our NHS dentists,” said Ms. Gibson.

He said, “It only puts more pressure on our overseased hospital services, doing a great job under immense stress,” he said.

MP Sara Gibson (R) receives data through freedom of information request

LDRS Sarah Gibson wears a beige cardigan under a black jacket, on top with a cream pattern scarf. She is standing in a dental ward, talking to a woman with blonde hair who is wearing a black scrub. — MP Sara Gibson (R) receives data through freedom of information request

The British Dental Association (BDA) has warned of an “unprecedented collapse” in dentistry, many dentists have pulled out of NHS contracts as they are overwork and underfunded.

Earlier this month, Hathway dental practice In chippenham, it will no longer provide NHS services to its patients from 1 November.

It said that this practice had lost four NHS dentists in the last few months, and no applicant was found when it put an advertisement for replacement.

A report published in March 2023 Less than half of children in Swindon A NHS dentist, or access to 47.6%.

This figure is still more than England average 46.9%, but the city is about three times the possibility of children in wide southwest than others in the wider southwest.

Council has now started a project Promote good oral hygieneWhich is particularly aimed at children under five.

Government has promised to improve NHS dental services

Qays Nazim/BBC A woman has examined her teeth by an anonymous dentist. The picture shows a hand in a glove. A dental mirror is held inside a mouth while a suction device is used as well as a plaque remover. The woman has opened her mouth on the chair and her face is burnt — Government has promised to improve NHS dental services

NHS England South West stated that patients participating in A&E for dental care will be tried and evaluated, if appropriate, pain is relieved and directed to contact your own dentist.

The body stated that it aims to improve the reach of the patient by introducing “tie-in” to the patient, which is a proposed requirement for newly qualified dentists to work in NHS for a minimum period after completing its training.

He said, “Work is also going on through the installation of centers for dental development to bring dental education and training together with service distribution models, especially in areas where there is a lack of workforce relative to population needs,” said this.

Last month, Health Secretary Wes Streeting refused to set a time limit When the government will improve dental contracts – the outline that NHS pays dentists.

The reform labor was a major manifesto pledge for the government, but Mr. Streeting said: “As long as I am not 100%, I can get a promise, I don’t make it”.