"Carol Sherman, a local artist, was second in line when the doors opened back in 2024. 'I was that desperate, I put some chairs and blankets in the car and got there at five in the morning,' she says. 'So many people round here can't get a dentist so it's been an absolute lifesaver.'"
"'Without fundamental change, NHS dentistry will remain a service that has gone for good in many parts of the country,' says Mark Dayan, an analyst at the Nuffield Trust. 'At this stage, it's just unhelpful to pretend there is still some kind of comprehensive system in place.'"
"Back in 1948 when Labour's Aneurin Bevan founded the NHS, dental care became free alongside hospitals and GPs. But the country's teeth were in an appalling state after World War Two and pent-up demand was much greater than politicians anticipated."
In Bristol, long queues for NHS dental services reflect a nationwide crisis in access to dental care. Many residents struggle to find a dentist, prompting significant wait times. Reforms are being introduced in England and Wales to improve access, but experts warn that without fundamental changes, NHS dentistry may become obsolete in many areas. Historical context shows that the introduction of charges for dental care in 1948 set a precedent that has led to ongoing challenges in the system, which has not adequately served millions of patients.
Read at www.bbc.com
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