In the last decade, there's been a massive increase in the number of online searches for dental problems like tooth pain. Experts say it shows how serious the dental crisis has become.
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00:00Are you among the millions of people who have struggled to see an NHS dentist recently?
00:06According to statistics from the start of the year, more than 2,000 dentists have left
00:11the profession since the pandemic, and of the dental practitioners that remain, nearly
00:15half have scaled back their NHS treatment.
00:18This dental crisis is what experts are saying is to blame for the rise in online searches
00:23for dental problems like tooth pain.
00:25Since 2010, the search term has seen a 460% increase.
00:30The term toothache has also increased by 227% in the same period, with terms like bleeding
00:36gums and gum pain also seeing a rise.
00:40After an Oral Health Foundation survey found that cost was a barrier to seeking dental
00:44care for four in ten people, their chief executive Nigel Carter said access to affordable dental
00:49care is vital to prevent a worsening dental health crisis that would have far-reaching
00:53consequences for public health.
00:55But what about in your experience?
00:57Do you pay for private dental treatment or do you use NHS services?
01:01And how difficult do you find it is to get a dental appointment where you live?