Research carried out by The Citizens' Advice Bureau suggests that lack of access has resulted in one in six people not seeing a dentist in over two years.

The recent report reveals that as many as 7.4 million adults could be affected by the NHS' dentist shortage, and indicators suggest that the massive growth in popularity of aesthetic dentistry may be the final nail in the coffin for public sector dentistry.

Of the 7.4 million without a dentist, The Citizens' Advice Bureau reports that over half opted for private treatment. As well as allowing dentists independence, private dentistry offers patients a wider choice of services, such as the teeth whitening, dental implants and porcelain veneers, which simply are not available through some NHS dentists.

Despite the current economic climate, private and cosmetic dentistry has seen a surge in recent years and research conducted by The Times has revealed that ninety-six percent of adults “feel that an unattractive smile would make a member of the opposite sex less attractive” and a further seventy-four percent felt that an unattractive smile could hurt a person's chances of career success. This shows just how important treatments such as teeth whitening and dental implants have become.

Rahul Doshi from award-winning cosmetic dentists The Perfect Smile Studios & Institute, said: “As more and more people opt for cosmetic dental treatments private dental practices will continue to grow and add to the range of treatments they provide.

“Ultimately the rise in cosmetic dental treatments in the UK shows that people care about their teeth, and if people aren't admitted back into the NHS dental system quickly they will of course turn to the private sector.

While of course cosmetic dentistry cannot fully replace regular dental treatments, this trend does not bode well for the already flailing NHS dentistry structure. If, as is predicted, more and more patients opt for cosmetic dentistry and private dental treatments the NHS dental sector could be the next to slip out of the public service domain forever.

For more information email the Perfect Smile team at care@theperfectsmile.co.uk or telephone 01992 552115.