NEARLY half of children across Dorset did not see a dentist last year as shocking figures reveal many practices are not accepting any new patients.

A Dorset watchdog said the latest figures are ‘deeply worrying’ with the British Dental Association branding them ‘a national embarrassment.’

The BDA said regular dental check-ups are key to preventing tooth decay in children and urged the government to invest in educating the public.

Guidelines recommend children see a dentist at least once a year.

However statistics from NHS Digital show that just 52.1 per cent of children in the Dorset County Council area went for a free dental check-up in the year to June, 61.9 per cent in the Poole area and 69 per cent in Bournemouth.

Meanwhile, the Daily Echo can reveal the NHS Choices website shows out of 87 NHS dentist practices within 20 miles of Bournemouth, 38 are currently not accepting any patients and 10 more are only accepting children.

Joyce Guest, Healthwatch Dorset chairperson, said: "It is deeply worrying that less than half of adults and almost half the children across Dorset have not seen a dentist in the last year.

"There are a number of issues that have led to this situation, it can be hard to find a dentist taking NHS patients and the costs for NHS patients are sometimes unclear. But when children are missing out on free dental treatment, something needs to be done.

"We have recently been gathering feedback from parents of children trying to access the NHS community dental service. The waiting times involved, a lack of clear information and travel required from east to west Dorset is all having an impact on families.”

It is recommended an adult sees a dentist every 24 months. Figures show in the past two years, just 45.4 per cent of people in Dorset went for a check-up with 50 per cent in Poole and 63.6 per cent in Bournemouth.

Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen, chair of general dental practice at the British Dental Association, added: "NHS dentistry has been left to fend for itself, without investment, a strategy, or any attempt at public education.

"These numbers are a national embarrassment, and will not budge until ministers change tack."

A spokesman for NHS England said that it has invested in additional activity within NHS dental services to support patients to see a dentist regularly.

Natalie Jones, dental primary care contract manager, said: "NHS England invested just under £400,000 in dental practices in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset last year allowing more than 5,500 extra patients access to NHS dental care.

"Leaflets explaining NHS dental services have been provided to all dental practices, GP practices and pharmacies across Wessex.

"These leaflets also offer advice on self-care for patients of all age groups and explain what can be expected from a dentist providing NHS care.”