Earlier this week it was revealed that 91% of NHS dental practices in England were not accepting new adult patients, which may lead some to question if any practices in Colchester are able to take on new patients.

The British Dental Association (BDA) and BBC completed the research and found of those practices not taking on adults in England, 23% (1,124) said they had an open waiting list, and 16% (791) said the wait time was a year or longer, or were unable to say how long it would be.

Due to this shortage of NHS dentists, it has seen some people go to dangerous lengths which has been referred to as "DIY dentistry".

This has seen some desperate patients "making teeth out of resin and sticking them into their gums with superglue" according to the national director of Healthwatch England, Louise Ansari on the BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 

Gazette: Southend has some dentists that are accepting new adult patients (PA)Southend has some dentists that are accepting new adult patients (PA) (Image: PA)

For those who are looking for a new dentist in the Colchester area, here are some that are accepting new patients.

NHS dentists in Colchester accepting new patients

The Smile Clinic Colchester Town

Address: 39 St Botolphs Street, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7EA

The dentist is:

  • accepting children (under 18)
  • accepting adults (18 and over)
  • accepting adults entitled to free dental care

North Hill Dental Surgery

Address: 46 North Hill, North Hill, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PY

This dentist is only taking new NHS patients who have been referred.

The Avenue Dental Practice

Address: 12 The Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3PA

This dentist is only taking new NHS patients who have been referred.

The Dental Studio

Address: 236 Bergholt Road, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5AS

This dentist is only taking new NHS patients who have been referred.

The Smile Clinic

Address: 61 Mill Road, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5LE

This dentist is only taking new NHS patients who have been referred.

Mile End Dental Surgery

Address: 13A Nayland Road, Mile End, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5EG

This dentist is only taking new NHS patients who have been referred.

Prettygate Dental

Address: 41 Prettygate Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 4EQ

This dentist is only taking new NHS patients who have been referred.

Prettygate Dental

Address: Prettygate Dental, 306 Mersea Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8QY

This dentist is only taking new NHS patients who have been referred.

Straight Road Dental Practice

Address: 118 Straight Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 9DJ

This dentist is only taking new NHS patients who have been referred.

Colchester Orthodontic Centre

Address: 872 The Crescent, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9YQ

This dentist is only taking new NHS patients who have been referred.

Wivenhoe Dental Practice

Address: 94 The Avenue, Wivenhoe, Colchester, Essex, Essex, CO7 9PP

This dentist is only taking new NHS patients who have been referred.

Tiptree Dental Surgery

Address: 93 Church Road, Tiptree, Colchester, Essex, CO5 0HB

This dentist is only taking new NHS patients who have been referred.