DENTISTS have criticised government plans to get NHS dentistry “back on its feet,” saying the rollout of 700,000 extra urgent appointments pledged in its manifesto does not go far enough.

NHS England has instructed integrated care boards across the country to establish thousands of urgent appointments over the next year, starting in April.

These will be targeted at “dental deserts” and available for patients in pain, those with infections, or needing urgent repairs.