Somerset's NHS dental crisis shows no signs of improving, with most practices across Glastonbury, Wells and Frome now fully closed to new NHS patients.

An updated analysis of NHS dentist availability shows that across the Glastonbury and Somerton, Wells and Mendip Hills, and Frome and East Somerset constituencies, none of the practices are accepting new NHS patients — either adults or children.

In Glastonbury and Somerton, every listed NHS dentist is now either closed to new patients or operating as private only. Practices including Street Dental Practice and Apex Dental Group in Street have switched to private care. mydentist branches, including those in Shepton Mallet and Frome, have also confirmed they are now private only.

The situation in Wells and Mendip Hills is no better. High Street Dental Practice, Wells Orthodontic Practice, Priory Dental, Rock House Dental Practice and Bupa Dental Care Wells are all closed to NHS patients.

Meanwhile in Frome and East Somerset, all practices listed are either closed to new NHS registrations or have transitioned fully to private care. Options for local people seeking affordable treatment have virtually disappeared.

The Somerset and North Devon branch of the Unite trade union has blasted the situation, urging the government to step in with emergency funding to tackle the growing crisis.

A spokesman said: "Glastonbury is in the middle of the dental desert that is Somerset. There are no available NHS dental spaces in Mendip and the Find My Dentist website is inaccurate, claiming that Vine Surgery in Street has dental spaces when they no longer even have an NHS dentist.

"Many people are just having to put up with tooth issues and this can lead to hospitalisation. People are registering with dentists as far away as Southampton and Cirencester as they can't find anyone nearer.

"Glastonbury has one of the highest levels of child poverty in the country, about one in three people have no access to a car and there are still high levels of smoking. We desperately need NHS dental provision in the town."

NHS Somerset has admitted there are no immediate plans to open a new NHS dental practice in Glastonbury — but said it was working to address the wider crisis.

A spokesman said: "We understand the frustration residents feel when trying to access NHS dental care. The concerns raised by the Glastonbury community are felt across the country and require both national reform and a coordinated local response.

"Since April 2023, NHS Somerset has been in charge of commissioning dental services, allowing us to better meet local needs. We're actively working on a dental transformation programme to address the current challenges with innovative solutions.

"These include paying dentists more to undertake NHS work, offering extra payments for seeing patients who haven't visited in the last two years, and increasing capacity through NHS 111 for urgent dental treatment.

"Additionally, we have committed £300,000 under the NHS dental recruitment incentive scheme to attract more dentists to Somerset, tackling workforce shortages.

"Preventative care and oral health education are key priorities for NHS Somerset. We proudly support initiatives like supervised tooth-brushing programmes, targeting 3 to 5-year-olds in 156 nurseries, preschools, and reception classes across the county.

"These programmes benefit more than 6,700 children, instilling good oral hygiene habits that will protect them for life.

"While there are no immediate plans for a new dental practice in Glastonbury, we remain committed to actively exploring innovative ways to address current gaps, including outreach services.

"We will be meeting with representatives from Glastonbury Independent Alliance in the next couple of weeks to discuss these issues further and to go through the dental transformation plans for Somerset which is responding to areas of need.

"We recognise the need for improved NHS services in Glastonbury and the whole of Somerset and remain committed to working collaboratively with national and local partners to ensure equitable and effective dental services for all."

Across England, nearly three-quarters of NHS dentists are still not accepting new adult patients — with Somerset among the worst-hit areas. National investigations have revealed that even dentists listed as "accepting patients when availability allows" often have years-long waiting lists.

Without urgent intervention, campaigners fear that more Somerset residents will be left suffering — or forced to pay for private treatment they simply cannot afford.