No NHS dentists in the South Hams

There are now no NHS dentists in the South Hams, with children and people missing essential dentist treatments due to the cost of private consultations. 

As far as we can tell, there are now no NHS dentists taking on new patients in the South Hams, with people telling us that their NHS appointments were cancelled, while being offered replacement appointments with the same dentist - but privately. 

We reached out on social media to get stories surrounding NHS dentists or the lack thereof in the South Hams, and we received a number of responses that all gave the impression that people are skipping treatments and check-ups due to being unable to afford private dentistry. 

Suzi Colton commented to say: "I wrote to our MP Anthony Mangnall about this a year ago now and he has done zero, zilch, nothing. He continues to say 'I am afraid I do not yet have an update, however, I have continued to raise the issue wherever possible and I hope that there will be some progress soon' ~ I'm not convinced.

"We were with a practice as NHS patients as a family and were due an appointment at the beginning of Covid (which we clearly couldn't attend when they were all shut) and they used this as an excuse to kick us out unless of course we returned as private patients.

"We are are one of many in Kingsbridge who still don't have a dentist four years later, unless you pay privately."

Georgie Clark said: "I have been left with two teeth with exposed nerves after my dentist left the day after my treatment. The dentist, still open but only privately, won’t provide any help without me paying full cost! I’m a solo mum, I can’t afford it!"

Tanya Bedford said: "Had one dentist appointment for our four-year-old, then told his dentist had left. Not been offered anything else."

One person got in touch and wanted to remain anonymous. They shared this experience with a Totnes surgery: "I had been a patient for a number of years when last year I was given a check up appointment, they phoned to check I would be attending but when I turned up for the appointment I was told it had been cancelled even though I saw the dentist walk through the corridor!

"I asked why and the receptionist was very rude and said she didn’t have to explain why it was cancelled (without any notification) and said they didn’t have a NHS dentist that I could see. I appreciated that they only had one so I asked to speak to the manager, and was told she wasn’t available.

"I have to take medication to go to the dentist as I am a very nervous patient so was very distressed at this news. I did eventually get to see the manager after calling in to their High Street Surgery, what a waste of time she was.

"She made every excuse possible and eventually got me an appointment with the gentleman who was NHS as I had a very painful tooth. He did an X-ray and said nothing was wrong and just painted something on my tooth, this wore off after an hour so still have the pain and living on painkillers.

"I understand the situation that we are short of NHS dentists but who can afford the monthly payments they want with extra charges on top!"

Liam Lindon also commented. He said: "The NHS dentist I have been going to ever since I had teeth, is closing and shifting to all private - no NHS dentist for me anymore! I'll manage but it makes you wonder what people on low incomes will do now that they don't have access to an NHS dentist. 

"It's disgraceful!"

According to the One Devon website, you do not have to pay for NHS dental services if you’re:

• under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
• pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months
• being treated in an NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
• receiving low-income benefits, or you’re under 20 and a dependant of someone receiving low-income benefits

The NHS will provide all treatment that your dentist feels is clinically necessary to keep your teeth, gums and mouth healthy. This means that if your dentist says that you need a particular type of treatment, it will be available on the NHS.

While some people are eligible for free treatment, dentistry is one of the few NHS services where you have to contribute to the cost of your care. There are three NHS charge bands, which vary depending on the treatment you need. These are: Band 1 (£25.80), Band 2 (£70.70) and Band 3 (£306.80).

Two days ago (Wednesday, 7 February), the Government published its 'NHS Dental Recovery Plan' which "sets out the measures that will be implemented to ensure easier and faster access to NHS dental care across England".

Stats show that one in five people in the UK don't visit the dentist due to being unable to afford it, up from one in 10 a year ago. 

If one in five people are not visiting the dentist, that's nearly 13.5 million people.

The plan "will see over 2.5 million additional NHS dental treatments delivered for patients over the next 12 months, alongside targeted measures to improve the nation’s oral health including expanding prevention care for younger children to help reduce tooth decay". 

Anthony Mangnall, MP for Totnes and South Devon, has welcomed the publication of this plan, having recently spoken in a House of Commons debate on this issue. During the debate in January, Mr Mangnall called for "a reform of the UDA system in which dentists are remunerated for NHS work, as well as proposing measures such as mobile dental units and greater roles for dental therapists".

The Government’s plan "aims to make sure everyone who needs to see a dentist, particularly those who have been unable to access care in the past two years, will be able to do so, making access to care faster and fairer".

There will also be a "major new focus on prevention and good oral health in young children, and an expanded NHS dental workforce will be delivered". NHS work will also be "made more attractive to dental teams" with the minimum value of activity increasing to £28 (from £23).

Dentists will be "offered a bonus to take on more NHS patients", which will create more than 1.5 million new treatments, as well as "cash incentives to work in areas that are under-served". This will allow around 1 million new patients access NHS dental treatment. The Government "invests £3 billion in dentistry each year, with this plan adding a further £200 million".

As well as offering "up to 240 dentists £20,000 to stay and deliver NHS care for at least three years in areas where recruitment and retention of dentists is difficult, a new dental vans service will be available for targeted rural and coastal communities in underserved areas". The first vans will be up and running "later this year".

Children’s oral health will be supported by the ‘Smile for Life’ initiative, which will "offer reception age children vital prevention measures to reduce dental decay and give them a healthier smile". By the time they reach primary school, the government aim to have "every child viewing daily toothbrushing and good oral hygiene as part of their daily routine". 

Mobile dental teams will be going into schools of under-served areas to provide advice and deliver fluoride varnish treatments to more than 165,000 children, strengthening their teeth and preventing tooth decay.

Meanwhile, Family Hubs will provide advice and support for pregnant mums to improve their oral health and advise parents on protecting baby gums and milk teeth from decay. 

The NHSE’s Long Term Workforce Plan will expand dental undergraduate training places by 40% to more than 1,100 by 2031/32. Recruitment will also focus on dental therapists and other dental care professionals, including a 40% increase of 500 more training places by 2031/32. It will also be made easier for NHS practices to recruit dentists from overseas by reducing bureaucracy and increasing exam capacity for overseas qualified dentists.

Speaking after the publication of the Dental Recovery Plan, Mr Mangnall commented: “I am very well aware of the sheer frustration that so many are feeling from being unable to find an NHS dentist in the South Hams. Having called for the publication of the Dental Recovery Plan for many months, I am therefore pleased to read how the Government will ensure residents’ access to dentistry is improved.

"I have spoken to many local residents, dental professionals and representatives of the Peninsula Dental School to come up with possible solutions to the current issues, and am pleased to find that some of the measures I suggested have been included in the plan.

"These plans provide the method to reduce the dentistry back log, alleviate pain and provide a reliable dental service. I will be working with the integrated care board and the NHS to make sure we have the proper provision across all of South Devon.”

The Devon Dental helpline also provides advice on how to access dental care in an emergency. You can contact them on 03330 063 300 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.