THE proportion of adults seen by NHS dentists in Maldon over the past two years remains below pre-pandemic levels, new figures show.

Figures show 20,284 adults were seen by an NHS dentist in Maldon in the two years leading to June 30 this year - 40 per cent of the area's adult population.

That was up from 36 per cent in 2020-22 but below the rate before Covid-19 when 44 per cent were seen in 2017-19.

Nationally, 18.1 million adults were seen by an NHS dentist in the 24 months to June 30 this year - up from 16.4 million in 2020-2022, but below the 22 million seen in 2017-19.

The British Dental Association is calling for "radical and urgent change" to help NHS dentistry recover from the impact of Covid-19.

Chairman Eddie Crouch said: "We’re seeing the limits on the recovery and this Government’s ambition.

"Demoralised dentists are walking away from a broken system, while millions struggle to access the care they need. NHS dentistry can come back from the brink, but only if ministers turn the page."

An NHS spokesman said the figures show significant recovery in dental treatment for children since the pandemic with 6.4 million seen in the year to June 2023.

In the Maldon district, 4,886 children were seen in the past year – covering 42 per cent of under-18s in the area.

The rate is up from 37 per cent in 2021-22 but below 44 per cent in 2018-19.

The Government says a recovery plan blueprint is "due to be announced shortly".

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman added: "We are making progress to boost NHS dental services with 23 per cent more courses of treatment, meaning 1.7 million more adults and 800,000 more children received NHS dental care."