Which? research shows consumers are highly concerned about access to an NHS dentist and have a strong lack of trust that the Government can deliver on its promises. More than three quarters of people in England believe that it will get harder to find an NHS dentist in the next 12 months, while one in 10 think the situation will stay the same and only 3% think it will get easier. When asked whether they trusted the Government to improve NHS dentistry over the next year almost four out of five people said no, with those respondents aged over 55 even less likely to trust them.

Reacting to the publication of the survey, Lester Ellman, Chair of the BDA's General Dental Practice Committee, said, “These findings will come as no surprise to dentists who are deeply concerned about the impact these changes will have on their patients.

The BDA has warned the Government that its plans are flawed and the way they are being introduced is creating confusion and uncertainty. We don't believe the new contract will achieve the Government's aims of securing patient access, improving oral health or raising the quality of patient care.” The Which? survey was published just days after a BDA survey of Local Dental Committees also found confusion about the forthcoming changes to NHS dentistry.