Opposition warns parts of England becoming ‘dental deserts’ due to NHS dentist shortage

The Liberal Democrats said the scarcity of NHS dental appointments is forcing people to resort to ‘DIY dentistry’

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said people were turning to DIY dentistry (Alamy/PA)

Fewer than half of children saw a dentist in the past year in England, with opposition MPs warning that parts of the country have become “dental deserts”.

Data commissioned by the Liberal Democrats found that there are as many as 3,000 people per NHS dentist in some English areas.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey is expected to caution on Wednesday that the dental crisis is leading desperate people to resort to performing so-called DIY dentistry.