A DISABLED patient with broken teeth was unable to get an NHS appointment despite calling more than 40 dentists, while a child’s mum was told he would have to have a tooth pulled out because there was nobody to perform a root canal.

These were just two of the experiences published in a new report looking at the state of dental practice in Cheshire.

The report by Healthwatch Cheshire – an independent body set up to champion patients’ views – said they had received an increasing number of enquiries in the last few months from people concerned about not being able to access NHS services.

It said others have also raised issues about out of date information on the NHS website, as well as problems accessing the emergency dental helpline.

The report said people in Cheshire are having to access dentists outside the county, or were told they will have to wait for months for an appointment. It said children are still being seen locally but that their parents are having to travel elsewhere to find a practice.

One patient said they had to make 50-mile round trips to see their dentist.

It added that some people who had been attending NHS practices had been notified their dentist was now only doing private work.

The report, which is due to be considered by Cheshire West and Chester’s Health and Wellbeing board, said: “Some people register with dentists in other counties, some are offered appointments in five or so months’ time, some are told there is no waiting list and to keep calling back.

“Recently, we are told by people that they are still struggling to access NHS dentists when they contact practices outside of Cheshire.

“Others tell us that they do not think it is fair they should be made to travel and do not see why they should.

"An issue that has now been picked up on a few occasions is that families are being offered NHS appointments for children locally, but their parents are unable to access treatment at the same practice and have to seek treatment outside of Cheshire.”