Findings from the report NHS dental statistics for England, quarter 2: 30 September 2008 show that the proportion of people seeing an NHS dentist in England has risen slightly for the first time in two years.

The figures from The NHS Information Centre show that NHS dentists saw 52.9% (27.0 million) of the population in the 24 month period ending 30 September 2008. This compares to 52.7% (26.9 million) seen in the previous 24 month period ending 30 June 2008.

However, the number of patients seen is still 3.9% (1.1 million) less than the number seen in the 24 month period ending 31 March 2006, immediately before the new dental contractual arrangements began. A higher proportion of the population was seen in the north of England compared to the south.