NHS vs private dentist figures by area revealed

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Health Insight Survey revealed that more adults reported having a private dentist than an NHS dentist in nine areas of England, with the most concentrated in the south west and south east.

Devon and Somerset recorded the highest differences, with private estimates being 27.5% higher than the NHS. The survey did not determine whether patients chose private care due to NHS treatment being unavailable.

The number of practices offering NHS dentistry fell by 25.8% in Devon and 15% in Somerset between March 2017 and March 2026.

The findings have sparked calls for NHS dental contract reform, but the government's promised fundamental NHS Contract reform remains outstanding.