Not only that but the number of children able to see an NHS dentist in the Duchy has fallen from 54.4% in 2015 to 43% in 2022, a fall of 16.2% per cent overall. In 2021 that figure fell to 31.9%.

According to the figures between 2014/15 and 2021/22 the population per NHS dentist in Cornwall rose from 1,924 to 2,199, a fall in access of 27.81%.

Data commissioned by the Liberal Democrats but compiled by the NHS found there are as many as 3,000 people per NHS dentist in some English areas.

Many people in the Falmouth and Penryn area and across the Duchy report not being able to access an NHS dentist with waiting lists closed.

One popular Falmouth practice has just lost its only locum dentist and has been unable to recruit a replacement despite advertising for over a year. It now is a dentist without a dentist.

One patient of the practice told the Packet his family had been with it for over 20 years but last year it had stopped making appointments as the locum was leaving in March this year and was totally booked up until then.

“We have been told that they are just finding it impossible to recruit a dentist to come down to Cornwall to treat NHS patients,” they said.

“I have had a problem with a cap on a back tooth disintegrating since last year but they can’t treat it. To go private costs hundreds of pounds in the first instance which I can’t afford so I’m just having to leave it and hope it doesn’t get infected and have to have emergency treatment.

“They tell you they are hoping to find a dentist soon but I’m pretty sceptical about that and I’m worried it will just close.

“No dentist in Falmouth appears to be taking new NHS patients at the moment and the situation is just getting worse.”

The Lib Dems are warning that parts of England becoming ‘dental deserts’ due to NHS dentist shortage forcing people to resort to ‘DIY dentistry’.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said his party is calling for an NHS dental healthcare plan to ensure every person can access affordable dental care.

The proposals include spending what the party says is £400 million of NHS dental services funding that went unspent this year in order to boost the number of appointments.

Sir Ed, who is ramping up campaigning ahead of the local elections next month, wants reforms to the NHS dental contract and is pressing for additional resources for mobile dental units to visit schools, community centres and care homes.

He is also demanding the removal of VAT on children’s toothbrushes and toothpaste.

“The staggering rise in dental deserts has left far too many people struggling to get an NHS dental appointment,” Sir Ed said.

“It is heart-breaking that people are being left waiting in pain for months or even years for the dental care they need.

“Many are being forced to shell out thousands of pounds on private dental care, while some are even turning in desperation to DIY dentistry.

“This Conservative Government has been asleep at the wheel for years and allowed this dental crisis to get worse and worse.”

Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Falmouth and Truro, Jayne Kirkham says she has been speaking to people all across Truro and Falmouth since she was selected as the Labour Parliamentary candidate last June and the lack of access to NHS dentists for adults and children is an issue that comes up with worrying regularity.

“NHS dentists are leaving and the NHS Dental contract is broken and not fit for purpose,” she said. “The government is not tackling this and has been ignoring it for years, calling it a localised issue.

“The British Dental Association call it a national crisis, hitting millions of patients after a decade of underfunding and failed contracts.

“It is vital that the contracts and funding model are reformed as soon as possible to prevent more children ending up having urgent treatment in our Emergency Departments for sepsis because they could not access dental treatment when they needed it."

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The British Dental Association (BDA) said its own data indicated that hundreds of dentists were undertaking the equivalent of a single NHS check-up a year.

The Department of Health and Social Care said ministers were preparing to announce further measures to “improve” access to NHS dental surgeries.

A spokesman said: “We are working to improve access to NHS dental care by investing more than £3 billion a year.

“We reformed the NHS dental contract to encourage more dentists to provide NHS treatments and allow dental therapists and hygienists to offer extra services, and increased the amount practices receive for high-need patients.

“There were over 500 more dentists delivering NHS care in 2022 than in 2021, but we know there is more to do and we will be announcing further measures to improve access across the country soon.”

Truro and Falmouth MP Cherilyn Mackrory has also been asked for a response.