A dentist has spoken out about the main reasons why people do not go to a dental surgery.

Many people fear going to a dentist, with people avoiding booking appointments for so long and leading them to end up going when it is too late.

While others diagnose themselves and end up pulling out their own teeth.

Access is a problem for people in Bolton trying to find a dentist taking NHS patients and a dentist has spoken out about anxiety and the fear of costs were two of the main reasons people did not visit a dentist.

Clinical director of Synergy Dental Group, Bolton-based Dr Zubair Bagasi, said: “We live in an economic crisis and the cost of living is high, so we understand the barriers to access have increased.

The Bolton News:

“The fear of the dentist stems from pain, needles and I have been told even the smell can trigger it.

“Everyone has anxiety, and you have to take a human approach with patients.”

The dentist said Synergy kept their practices all over the North West and in Birmingham "light, clean and inviting" and said their dentists were "charismatic" and understood the culture and banter.

Synergy also offers sedation treatments for patients who might need this.

This also leads to people missing or cancelling appointments or simply not making one in the first place when they need it.

Dr Bugasi revealed another fear was the costs of going to the dentist.

He said: “Unknown costs is another fear preventing people from going to a dentist.

“Like having your house renovated but not knowing what it will cost, and the embarrassment of not taking up the quote.”

Synergy’s pricing can be found on their website for patients to look at before deciding to go ahead with any treatment.

Dr Bugasi also touched again on the impact lack of access had to make people feel more anxious.

He said: There’s only a certain capacity where we can take them on, and it is governed by the government so we can only take on what they have asked us to take on.

“So, we have created a scheme where patients can access similar costs to NHS and for kids, they can be registered free of charge and have exams free as long as parent is registered with us.”