Barriers to access through a student’s eyes: A literature review

Williams W, Fisher E, Edwards N. Bold action or slow decay? The state of NHS dentistry and future policy actions. Nuffield Trust 2023.

BBC. Full extent of NHS dentistry shortage revealed by far-reaching BBC research. 2022. Available from: (accessed June 2025).

YouGov. One in ten Britons have performed dentistry on themselves, half in the last two years. 2023. Available from: (accessed June 2025).

Health and Social Care Committee. NHS dentistry – Ninth Report of Session 2022-23. 2023. Available from: (accessed June 2025).

The King’s Fund. Dentistry in England explained. 2023. Available from: (accessed June 2025).

Senedd Cymru. Filling the gap: improving access to NHS dentistry in Wales. 2023. Available from: (accessed June 2025).

NHS. Receiving NHS dental treatment in Scotland. 2024. Available from: (accessed June 2025).

Adams J, Hillier-Brown F C, Moore H J, et al. Searching and synthesising ‘grey literature’ and ‘grey information’ in public health: critical reflections on three case studies. Systematic Rev 2016; 5: 164.

Evans D, Burns L, Mills I, Bryce M, Hanks S. Recruitment and retention in dentistry in the UK: a scoping review to explore the challenges across the UK, with a particular interest in rural and coastal areas. Br Dent J 2023; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-5406-0.

Evans D, Mills I, Burns L, Bryce M, Hanks S. The dental workforce recruitment and retention crisis in the UK. Br Dent J 2023; 234: 573-577.

Garrat K, Danechi S. NHS dentistry in England. 11 June 2025. Available from: (accessed June 2025).

Owen C, Seddon C, Clarke K, Bysouth T. NHS general dentistry in Wales: evaluation of patient access and budget expenditure. Br Dent J 2019; 226: 967-978.

Witton R, Plessas A, Wheat H, et al. The future of dentistry post-COVID-19: perspectives from Urgent Dental Care centre staff in England. Br Dent J 2021; 20: 20.

Hansen C, Curl C, Geddis-Regan A. Barriers to the provision of oral health care for people with disabilities. BDJ In Pract 2021; 34: 30-34.

Eaton K A. Access: what exactly is the problem? report of a symposium held at the Royal College of Surgeons of England on 31st May 2011. Prim Dent J 2011; 18: 150-154.

Haji Moris S, Carty O, Wanyonyi KL, Gallagher JE. Promoting access to dental care in South London: adult patients’ perspectives. J Public Health (Germany) 2017; 25: 601-610.

Healthwatch Birmingham. How easy is it to access NHS dentistry in Birmingham & Solihull? 2022. Available from: (accessed June 2025).

Cope A L, Chestnutt I G. The implications of a cost-of-living crisis for oral health and dental care. Br Dent J 2023; 234: 501-504.

Doughty J, Grossman A, Paisi M, et al. A survey of dental services in England providing targeted care for people experiencing social exclusion: mapping and dimensions of access. Br Dent J 2022; 20: 20.

Borreani E, Wright D, Scambler S, Gallagher J E. Minimising barriers to dental care in older people. BMC Oral Health 2008; 8: 7.

Freeman R, Richards D. Factors Associated with Accessing Prison Dental Services in Scotland: A Cross-Sectional Study. Dent J (Basel) 2019; 7: 1.

Paisi M, Kay E, Plessas A, et al. Barriers and enablers to accessing dental services for people experiencing homelessness: A systematic review. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2019; 47: 103-111.

Ahmadyar M, Rai T, Daly B, Wong G. Improving access of young adults with experience of homelessness to primary care dental services in the UK: A realist synthesis. Comm Dent Oral Epidemiol 2022; 50: 437-444.

Mishu M P, Faisal M R, Macnamara A, et al. A Qualitative Study Exploring the Barriers and Facilitators for Maintaining Oral Health and Using Dental Service in People with Severe Mental Illness: Perspectives from Service Users and Service Providers. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19: 5.

Holmes R D, Burford B, Vance G. Development and retention of the dental workforce: Findings from a regional workforce survey and symposium in England. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20.

NHS. NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. 2023. Available from: (accessed June 2025).

General Dental Council. Dentists’ working patterns data. 2024. Available from: (accessed June 2025).

Department of Health & Social Care. Policy paper: Health and Care Bill: water fluoridation. 2022. Available from: (accessed June 2025).