NHS dentists are in demand

Cornwall County Council is carrying out the research in partnership with Devon, Torbay and Plymouth councils.

The review is to include surveys of residents. A conference will also be held later in the month.

At the meeting, dentists, health representatives and speakers from regional dental bodies will discuss the difficulties some people face in getting access to an NHS dentist.

The survey will examine whether the problem is worse in the South West than in other parts of the country.

It will also look at the long-term impact the problem is having on dental care, particularly among children and pregnant women.

The review will also consider ways of reversing the use of drop-in NHS dentists and the likely impact any such action could have on dentists' contracts.

The success of local and national initiatives to address the problem will also be assessed.