Burnley NHS dentistry at 'last chance saloon'

Just over a third of Burnley adults attended dental appointments as the coronavirus pandemic brought disruption to Lancashire, figures suggest.
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NHS England data shows a steep drop in people visiting the dentist in 2020 and 2021, with millions across England missing check-ups and treatment.

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The figures are proof that NHS dentistry is at the "last chance saloon" and in urgent need of reform, according to the British Dental Association.

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In the two years to December 2021, 351,938 adults in Lancashire attended an appointment – the equivalent of 36% of the population.

That is significantly down on the 24 months to December 2019 when 490,287 – 51% – attended.

Between March and June 2020, dental practices were instructed to close and defer routine, non-urgent dental care to limit the spread of Covid-19.

According to the BDA, more than a year's worth of dentistry has been lost to the pandemic so far.