A quarter of NHS dentists in Portsmouth have quit since 2017

Available for over a year

NHS dentistry is "hanging by a thread" with some patients facing two-year waits for check-ups, the British Dental Association has said. Department of Health data analysed by the BBC shows almost 1,000 dentists working in 2,500 roles across England and Wales left the NHS last year. The worst-affected area was NHS Portsmouth CCG, which lost 26% of its NHS dentists over 12 months. The Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt has said she is close to securing money for immediate provision, potentially a mobile unit but also wants to see a dental training school in the Portsmouth, Gosport, Isle of Wight area.