AROUND one in four of the region's adult population is unable to access an NHS dentist, new figures show.

According to dental data in the latest Ipsos GP patient survey, 1.7 million adults across Yorkshire and the north-east – 26 per cent of the population – can't access NHS dentistry.

The statistics reveal that of those, 820,000 people have tried and failed to secure an appointment in the last two years.

And 590,000 said they had stopped trying to make appointments as they didn’t think they could secure care.

Around 120,000 indicated that they were on waiting lists.

The figures have been analysed by the British Dental Association, which says unmet need for NHS dentistry nationally now stands at 13 million – a record high.

Association bosses have held talks with new Health Secretary Wes Streeting over the issue.

Shawn Charlwood, chair of the association’s general dental practice committee, says: "NHS dentistry has effectively ceased to exist for millions across this country.

"The new Government has inherited old problems, but luckily hasn’t followed in its predecessor’s footsteps by pretending this crisis has been solved.

"These numbers are a stark reminder that we need urgency and ambition to save this service."