Dentist patient numbers have dropped by hundreds with some blaming the decrease on the economy.

National figures show the number of people getting their teeth checked by NHS dentists in Brighton and Hove has fallen by 10% since 2006.

Nearly two-thirds of the population sat in the dentist’s chair seven years ago, in March this year only just over half made the visit.

Both adults and children are making fewer visits, with only half of adults and 73% of children having their teeth checked.

But, in the rest of Sussex, according to the figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre, the number of people visiting the dentist has stayed the same – with about half of adults making a visit.

The number of children keeping an eye on their teeth has fallen by three per cent to 66% in East Sussex and by five per cent to 72% in West Sussex.

Private practice manager Tara Bartley, of Smiles Dental in Ship Street, Brighton, said there were a number of reasons why patient visits have fallen.

She said: “We have had a lot of people ringing up because no national health dentists can fit them in.

“We have also noticed a drop in the number of patients – it could be just the economy.

“It always goes quiet after Christmas and in February it really drops when people haven’t got any money. They want to save and go on holiday instead.

“It’s considered to be more of a luxury now rather than a necessity – people say they just see us as and when it’s needed.

“We do see people with their teeth in worse condition as a result.

“Say someone comes in with gum disease we will give them a dental plan but often they won’t come back.

“We do try and offer people discount – but at the end of the day we are a private practice.

“Sometimes we also put on offers – like an examination for £30.

“The people who take them up are usually national health patients, but they won’t pay for the treatment.”