THE unmet need for NHS dentistry remains at a record high and affects more than a quarter of adults in England, a new analysis revealed today.

The British Dental Association (BDA) examined the latest GP Patient Survey data and found little change from last year, with an estimated 13.8 million people still unable to access NHS dental services.

It found that 5.7m adult patients had tried and failed to secure NHS care in the last two years. 

While this marks a decrease of 700,000 from the previous year, it coincides with a rise in people no longer even trying to book appointments — believing they won’t succeed — which has increased by 500,000 to 5.9 million.

The cost of care deterred 1.3m people from getting treatment, while 880,000 said they were on waiting lists.

Labour has pledged to reform NHS dentistry, but last week care minister Stephen Kinnock indicated that there will be no increase in the service’s budget.

The BDA says that funding has been cut by over a third in real terms since 2010.

BDA chairman Eddie Crouch said: “Ministers agree that NHS dentistry is at death’s door.

“But they don’t appear ready yet to invest in the rebuild.”

Toothless in England founder Mark Jones said: “The government’s recent ‘recovery plan,’ while it is a positive step forward, is a sticking plaster on a gaping wound.

“Tweaking contracts and tinkering with targets won’t fix a system starved of funding.

“We need real investment, real reform, and a real commitment to universal care — not empty promises.”

The government was contacted for comment.