HUNDREDS of people in the city are struggling to get the dental treatment they need, a health watchdog has said.

Healthwatch Brighton and Hove says the number of enquiries it receives from people struggling to find a dentist has increased by 270 per cent in less than three years.

Between 2019 and 2021, the number of NHS dental practices in the Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has fallen from 184 to 168.

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It comes as new figures reveal that thousands of high street dentists across the country are “severing ties” with the NHS.

A spokesman for Healthwatch said: “We work closely with local dentists and they tell us that they are having to balance applying ongoing Covid hygiene measures against this increased demand, meaning that their capacity is lower than needed.

“Dentists are leaving or considering leaving NHS dentistry due to these demands.

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“Much-needed delayed contractual reforms which were promised over ten years ago are still awaited and retention and recruitment of new staff is a major concern that will affect NHS dentistry provision long into the future, and urgent action is needed by government.”

The British Dental Association (BDA) said that since March 2020, some 3,000 dentists are understood to have moved away from NHS work entirely.

A new poll of 2,200 high street dentists in England found 45 per cent have reduced their NHS commitment since the start of the pandemic.

The figures also found 75 per cent are likely to reduce, or further reduce, their NHS commitment in the next 12 months.

Almost 90 per cent said they have experienced symptoms of stress, burnout or other mental health problems in the last 12 months, according to the BDA poll.

The professional body is calling for “radical and urgent” action from the government to help struggling dentists.

Minister for Patient Safety and Primary Care Maria Caulfield, said the government is working closely with the NHS to reform the dental system.

Ms Caulfield, who is the MP for Lewes, said: “We are currently negotiating improvements to the contract with the British Dental Association to ensure that working in the NHS remains attractive to dentists.”