The people of Brighton appear to be loath to visit the dentist, a report by the town’s health watchdog has revealed.
Research carried out by the council showed the number of people who visited a dentist in the area in the two years to September 2009 was down by 7,000 in comparison to the amount in the 24 months to March 2006, local paper the Argus reported.
It blamed the introduction of a controversial new charging system by the NHS, which saw many dentists leave the profession or set up their own private practices.
Elsewhere, the Southern Daily Echo recently reported a new emergency dentistry surgery is being set up in Winchester.
Scheduled to be open by March next year, the new oral health facility could treat up to 9,500 patients per year and provide a welcome boost to dentistry services in the region.
Natalie Jones, lead commissioning manager of primary care dental services for NHS Hampshire, commented: "Since 2006, we have committed £15 million to do this and have prioritised areas across Hampshire on clinical need and current access."
