SALES of at-home dental kits for lost fillings, caps, and crowns by Boots the Chemist were up a reported 87 per cent in the last three months of 2020 compared with the previous year.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has said it believes this surge in sales reflects policies adopted by government since the first lockdown. It claims that targets imposed on 1 January are incompatible with addressing the urgent backlog of cases.
The BDA cites warnings from dentist leaders that the "perverse activity measures imposed" on NHS practices in England will create new barriers to treating patients experiencing urgent problems.
BDA Chair Eddie Crouch said: "Patients should never have to take matters into their own hands. Sadly, this boom in 'DIY dentistry' directly reflects the choices made by government throughout this pandemic.
"In the first lockdown patients in pain were left with few options. Now Ministers have imposed targets that are forcing dentists to prioritise volume over need.
"We need help to restore access for the patients that need us most."
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