Fewer people get to see a dentist

The number of people being seen by an NHS dentist in Rochdale is rising year on year, but 133 fewer patients are being seen since the Government reforms in 2006.

According to the information centre for health and social care, in the two years to June 2009, 108,200 people accessed an NHS dentist.

A breakdown reveals 76,926 were adults and 31,274 were children — 52.5% of the population of Rochdale.

In comparison, in the two years to March 2006, a total of 108,333 people in Rochdale saw an NHS dentist — of which 76,091 were adults and 32,242 children — 52.4% of the population.

Current take up in Rochdale is lower than the North West average of 59.9% and 54.1% across England.