RESIDENTS in the Chard, Ilminster and surrounding areas are now facing extreme difficulty to register at a dentist as the nation as a whole is facing a 'dental timebomb'. 

The British Dental Association (BDA) warned NHS dentistry is on the brink of collapse and that can be seen in South Somerset.

Currently there are no dentists in the immediate areas of Chard and Ilminster that are accepting new patients, unless referred.

Shawn Charlwood, from the BDA, told the Northern Echo: “This Government has ensured many dentists cannot see a future in this service.

“Without urgent reform and adequate funding there is little hope we can halt this exodus.”

He added: “Access problems remain the norm, oral health inequality is set to widen, while a growing number of dentists are walking away from the NHS.

“This is how NHS dentistry will die – a lingering decline that unchecked will leave millions of patients with no options.”

This is what the position is of all the dentists in the area:

Chard House Dental Practice - Not taking any new NHS patients at the moment

mydentist, Fore Street, Chard - Not taking any new NHS patients at the moment

The Crewkerne Dental Centre Ltd - Not taking any new NHS patients at the moment

Bupa Dental Care, Crewkerne - Only taking new NHS patients who have been referred

Hill House Dental Surgery - Only taking new NHS patients who have been referred

The Ile Dental Centre - Has not recently given an update on whether they're taking new NHS patients. Contact them for more information

Chard Dental Access Centre - Has not recently given an update on whether they're taking new NHS patients. Contact them for more information

SpaDental Chard - Has not recently given an update on whether they're taking new NHS patients. Contact them for more information

Martock Dental Surgery - Has not recently given an update on whether they're taking new NHS patients. Contact them for more information

Stoke Dental - Has not recently given an update on whether they're taking new NHS patients. Contact them for more information