The MP for North Norfolk has called for action over the lack of NHS dentistry in the region.

Steffan Aquarone made his plea after an Office for National Statistics Dentistry report stated 99.7pc of new patients in the east of England cannot access NHS care.

Mr Aquarone said: “Norfolk is a dental desert with some of the poorest NHS dental provision in the country.

"Shockingly, the number of dentists offering NHS services has dropped by 15pc in just 4 years.

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"This rapid decline continues to impact the health of people living in North Norfolk where 22pc of children have tooth decay by the time they are five and where poor dental health remains the number one reason for their hospitalisation.

"This just isn’t good enough. 

“Solving the crisis in NHS dentistry will require bold cross-party work and I have made it my mission to make sure this work happens."

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North Norfolk MP Steffan Aquarone North Norfolk MP Steffan Aquarone (Image: Newsquest) The report revealed that 9.2pc of people who could not get NHS care went private, and nearly 1pc reported going to A&E.

Three quarters of people said they did nothing, which professionals warn will only lead to greater problem if early signs of disease are left unchecked.

Tooth decay is the number one reason for hospital admissions among young children.

Eddie Crouch, British Dental Association Chair said: “This is a reminder that for new patients in the East of England NHS dentistry has effectively ceased to exist."