NHS dentists can see up to 70 patients a day

Dr Paul Carlin, who has been a dentist in Plymouth for 25 years, said the crisis had been brewing for years.

Only about 45% of the population of Devon is registered. In Cornwall it is worse where the figure is 42%.

Only four practices in Devon and one in Cornwall are registering new NHS patients without restrictions.

'Duty to patients'

Dr Carlin said problems in the region were down to too few NHS dentists as many were switching to private work because of too many patients.

NHS dentists can see up to 70 a day. Mr Carlin said it should be 25.

He said: "Our duty is to the patients.

"If we can't get funding to provide good care within the NHS, it is almost our duty not work in it.

"We've got to get the balance of the sustainability of dental practices and funding dentists' salaries right."

He added that he believed there was also too little help for running a surgery.

Party promises

Labour is promising more money as it continues the recruitment of more overseas dentists. There are currently 17 overseas dentists in Devon and Cornwall.

It also plans to increase the number of training places in the UK.

The Conservatives will introduce payments for dentists to promote preventative treatment for adults similar to that for children already. It also plans a low-cost monthly payment system for people to spread to cost of treatment.

The Lib Dems will end charges for dental check-ups and offer new contracts with dentists with the aim focused on preventative work.

But with 40% of dentists and hygienists in the region eligible for retirement in the next three to eight years, things may get even worse before they get better.