Retired dentists in the South Tyneside area are being asked to help cut waiting lists for those looking for an emergency dentist in the region, it has been revealed.

Dentistry.co.uk reported that delaying emergency dentistry treatments can cause a range of long-term problems for patients, including jaw and joint problems and, in some cases, headaches.

"South Tyneside lost two orthodontic surgeons through retirement. If I was with the primary care trust, I would go back to those dentists and see if they could go back to work part-time," commented local councillor Jim Foreman.

The online publication noted that at present, people in some areas are on waiting lists of up to three years.

Elsewhere, children in County Longford, Ireland, have to wait up to two years for treatments because of a lack of qualified dentists in the region.

Local newspaper the Longford Leader reported lists continue to grow and this is a development which could impact on the long-term oral health of children in the area.