A shortage of NHS dentists is causing acute concerns for an increasing number of Wellington residents.

Rebecca Kemp, who has a 6-year-old daughter with diabetes, says the lack of readily available and affordable dentists is a major problem.

She said: “My daughter is type 1 diabetic and I had to pay for a check-up as I cannot find a NHS dentist anywhere.”

Sarah Shelley who also lives in Wellington said: “Every time I remind our MP about this - over the last 18 months - I’m told she’s looking at it. I was also given some contact details to secure an NHS dentist. When I contacted the three contacts she supplied, they simply said sorry we can’t help!”

According to a report done by the Association of Dental groups, there is a rising problem in access to dentistry. The organisation states: “The impact on patients is clear, for every time a dentist leaves the NHS and isn’t replaced, approximately 2,000 patients could lose access to NHS care. That means that the loss of over 2,000 NHS dentists could result in more than 4 million people losing access to NHS care.”

Rebecca Kemp added: “I have worked my whole life and paid taxes. I have had to postpone the next appointment as I just cannot afford it at the moment. My daughter also has coeliacs disease which can cause problems with her tooth enamel. I really hope the issue can be rectified asap.”

A total of £4.7 million extra funding was allocated in January to the South West region to help tackle the crisis but many feel say they the situation has not improved.