Cornwall Hospitals Diagnosing Over 300 Patients with Tooth Decay Amid Dentist Shortages

An investigation has revealed that over 300 patients in Cornwall hospitals have been diagnosed with tooth decay over the past three years, highlighting the growing dental care crisis across the county.

Dental Issues Rise in Cornwall Hospitals

Figures obtained by Public Interest Lawyers show that between 2021 and 2023, 308 patients were diagnosed with tooth decay while being treated at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust. This trust provides acute care across three key hospitals: Royal Cornwall Hospital, West Cornwall Hospital, and St Michael’s Hospital.

The number of cases has steadily increased year-on-year. In 2021/22, 92 patients were diagnosed with tooth decay. By 2022/23, that number had risen to 107, and in 2023/24, it climbed again to 109.

Tooth Decay Crisis Across the UK

The situation in Cornwall reflects a broader national issue, as many dentists are no longer taking on new patients. According to reports from the BBC and the British Dental Association (BDA), 90% of dentists across the UK are refusing new NHS adult patients, and many will only see children if a parent is signed up privately.

This has resulted in thousands of people turning to A&E for dental emergencies. Between April 2022 and May 2023, 30,000 children and more than 70,000 adults in England were admitted to A&E with tooth decay.

Impact on Children in Cornwall

Tooth decay remains a major cause of hospital admissions for children aged 5 to 17 in England. In Cornwall, the number of young patients treated for tooth decay has also been rising. In 2021/22, six children were treated at local hospitals for tooth decay. By 2023/24, this figure had nearly doubled to 11.

As dental appointments become increasingly difficult to secure, Cornwall could face more children being admitted to hospital with preventable dental issues.

Dental Deserts and Negligence

The term “dental deserts” has been coined to describe areas where dentists are not taking on new patients, and many parts of the UK now fall into this category. Labour’s analysis of NHS data suggests that 4.75 million people across England have been unable to get an appointment with an NHS dentist over the past two years.

Public Interest Lawyers, who obtained the figures through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, offer free advice and support to those affected by dental negligence. They operate a 24-hour helpline, and more information can be found on their website.

As access to dental care becomes more limited, the need for urgent solutions continues to grow.