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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Tobi Thomas

DIY dentistry on the rise as 90% of NHS practices not seeing new patients

Patient in chair being seen by dentist
The survey found 91% of NHS practices in England were not accepting new adult patients. The figure was 90% i Northern Ireland, 82% in Scotland and 93% in Wales. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA

Incidents of DIY dentistry, including people using superglue to stick homemade teeth to their gums, are increasing across Britain as more than nine in 10 NHS dental practices are unable to offer appointments to new adult patients, the director of the Healthwatch England watchdog has warned.

According to a survey by the British Dental Association and the BBC, 91% of NHS practices across England were not accepting new adult patients, with this figure rising to 97% in the east midlands, and 98% in the south-west, north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber.

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