Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.LIZ HUNT
Health Editor
About one million people have disappeared from dental registers in the past year as dentists reduce the number of NHS patients they are prepared to treat, Labour claimed yesterday.
The continuing crisis in the dental service has produced a sharp North- South divide, with many Southern counties and rural areas now well below the national registration rate of 55 per100 population.
According to the figures compiled by the Dental Practice Board and released by Labour, there were 22.9 million people 18 or over registered with a dentist in September 1994. By June 1995, this figure had fallen to 22 milion people, a drop of four per cent. Many dentists are de-registering their adult NHS patients and switching to private work only or insurance plans.
Tessa Jowell, Labour spokeswoman on Health said: "These figures confirm that NHS dentistry is fast becoming a thing of the past...The only choice which many people now face is to go private or receive no treatment at all."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments