Finding an NHS dentist in Sefton has become one of the town’s great quests. So what are local people actually doing about it?
For many residents, the hunt for an NHS dentist now follows a familiar pattern. You open the NHS website, type in your postcode and scroll through a long list of practices marked “not currently accepting new patients”.
A report from NHS Cheshire and Merseyside to Sefton’s Health and Wellbeing Board in March 2026 sets out the picture in fairly blunt terms. It says access to NHS dentistry is still a serious problem locally, regionally and nationally, and that many dental professionals have moved into private practice because they see the NHS contract as unappealing. It also notes that national funding for NHS dentistry only stretches to around half the population.
In defence of the NHS
In fairness to the NHS, Sefton has three Urgent Care Dental Centres, accessed through referral via the Dental Helpline. There is also a scheme offering 315 extra routine appointments a month across six local practices, aimed specifically at patients who haven’t seen a dentist in the past two years. If you’re in pain, NHS 111 is the place to start.
The national picture shows why so many people have simply given up, though. According to ONS data highlighted by the British Dental Association, 96.9% of people without a dentist who tried to get NHS dental care were unsuccessful.
That leaves plenty of people weighing up Plan B, C and D.
The great British dental getaway
Plan B is usually going private in the UK. A Healthwatch England poll from 2024 found that 27% of people unable to find NHS care had paid for private treatment instead. It’s quicker, but anyone who has had a quote for an implant will know it’s far from ideal.
Plan C is the waiting list, which requires a great deal patience.
Plan D involves a suitcase.
Dental tourism has become part of everyday conversation in the North West. With direct flights from Manchester and Liverpool, destinations such as Hungary and Poland have become familiar, with the most popular being dental implants in Turkey.
For people who have lost most or all of their teeth, full-arch treatments such as “All-on-4” are a big part of the appeal. Full mouth dental implants Turkey package deals offer particularly big savings for people who have been quoted UK prices for the same work.
A word of caution
A BDA survey of 1,000 UK dentists found that 94% had examined patients who had been abroad for treatment, and 86% of those had treated patients with problems afterwards.
The BDA’s advice is that complex treatment usually needs careful preparation and several follow-up visits, and that patients should understand the risks and alternatives and know what to do if something goes wrong once they’re home.
A few sensible questions worth asking:
Who is actually doing the work? It’s worth checking qualifications, specialist training and how the clinic is regulated in its own country.
How many trips is it really? Implants usually need time to bond with the jawbone, often several months, so it’s two separate trips.
What does “all-inclusive” include? Find out which implant brand is being used, what guarantees are given.
A smile worth waiting for?
For now, there’s no single right route. Some residents will get into one of Sefton’s extra NHS slots. Some will grit their teeth and go private. What does seem clear is that people are doing their homework more than ever. Whatever you decide, speak to a UK dentist first, ask plenty of questions, and don’t let anyone rush you.