The South West has been identified as the worst region in England for accessing NHS dental care, with new figures revealing that patients in Devon and Cornwall face the greatest difficulty securing appointments.
Data from the 2026 GP Patient Survey, highlighted by the British Dental Association (BDA), shows that only 62% of patients in Devon who attempted to book an NHS dentist appointment over the past two years were successful, compared with the national average of 81%.
Cornwall also performed well below the England average, with just 66% of patients managing to secure an NHS appointment. Many residents reported they had stopped trying altogether because they believed no appointments were available.
The findings were discussed during Cornwall Council’s Dentistry Summit, where healthcare experts examined the ongoing challenges surrounding NHS dental access across the county.
According to the BDA, 34% of Cornwall residents who had not attempted to book an NHS dentist in the past two years said they believed they would be unable to obtain an appointment. A further 11% said they were already waiting on NHS dental lists.
BDA Chair Eddie Crouch described the figures as deeply concerning, arguing that while local factors contribute to the problem, responsibility ultimately lies with central government.
He said Cornwall had historically struggled with NHS dental provision, but access had deteriorated significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic. Adult NHS dental attendance in the county has fallen by around 20% over the past six years, one of the largest declines recorded anywhere in England.
Residents have also voiced growing frustration over the shortage of NHS appointments.
Jenna Lane, from Penryn, said she remained registered with an NHS dentist but had not been offered an appointment for a considerable period. She believes greater investment is needed to improve services.
Others have switched to private care after losing access to NHS dentistry.
Neisha Nicholls, from Perranwell, said her entire family now uses private dental services after disappointing experiences with the NHS. She added that many elderly people, particularly those requiring home visits, face significant barriers to accessing treatment.
Phil Partridge, from Truro, said he was forced into private dentistry after his former NHS practice changed its services. While he could afford the additional cost, he acknowledged that many families could not.
Craig Lancaster, from Fraddon, said private treatment was beyond his budget, adding that NHS waiting lists had become so long that obtaining an appointment now felt impossible.
NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board said improving access to NHS dentistry remains a priority. The organisation has introduced measures including a mobile dental unit, additional urgent and emergency appointments, and follow-up treatment for patients requiring further care.
It also said it is working with local dental providers to secure additional NHS contracts in areas experiencing the greatest shortages while supporting recruitment initiatives to attract more dentists to the region.
A Department of Health spokesperson acknowledged that too many people continue to struggle to access NHS dental services after years of declining provision.
The department said it has already delivered 1.8 million additional NHS dental treatments and allocated £4.2 billion for NHS dentistry during the current financial year.
It added that reforms to the NHS dental contract are designed to prioritise patients with the greatest clinical need, improve access nationwide and make NHS dentistry more attractive for practitioners.
The Government also said it is expanding dental school training places in underserved areas and reducing administrative barriers to help qualified dentists enter the workforce more quickly.