Oldham is on the brink of a "dental timebomb", propelled by the cost-of-living crisis and a shortage of NHS dentists, a new survey shows.

Research compiled by Dental Phobia, a website established to help people who fear the dentist, has revealed in a patient survey of 5,000 that patients in Greater Manchester are delaying going to check-ups by up to five years - and many are not going at all.

The availability of NHS dentists is a nationwide issue, but in Greater Manchester, there are just 762 NHS dentists serving a population of 2,822,000, accounting for just one dentist per 3,560 residents.

The NHS dentist finder reveals there are just 28 NHS dentists in Oldham.

There are another 5 NHS dentists in Middleton.

However, few are taking on new NHS patients.

The stats show men wait an average of five years between check-ups, with 45 per cent avoiding the dentist entirely unless they have a problem, while women wait an average of three years and 35 per cent only go when they have an issue.

The survey further finds that children are experiencing delays of more than a year for the first time, too.

Dental Phobia claims the gap between patients going for check-ups has widened since Covid with many falling out of the habit during the pandemic.

However, it says many are now fearful of booking an appointment in case of incurring costs.

The survey reveals two-thirds of patients (67 per cent) say their biggest worry prior to an appointment is the bill they may face at the end.

This compares to 53 per cent who claim to avoid the dentist out of fear of needles.

Just under half (46 per cent) said a shortage of NHS dentists had put them off seeking treatment because they are worried a private dentist would be too expensive.

The researchers claim the cost-of-living crisis is an aggravating factor with many now more afraid of the bill than they are of the dental treatment itself.

The availability of cost-effective treatment, such as NHS dentists, is another reason as patients worry they can't afford private dental care.

Rhona Eskander, a dentist and world leader in dental care, said: "Oldham is facing a timebomb is patients don't get back into the habit of seeking regular check-ups.

"What is more worrying is that the cost-of-living crisis is forcing some parents to cut corners with their children's teeth.

"Regular dental appointments are easy to put off and lots of people in Greater Manchester got out of the habit of going to the dentist during Covid and have not returned."

The dentist said patients are at risk of losing their teeth as small cavities can quickly develop without treatment.

Ms Eskander also said dentists are the first to notice signs of oral cancer and notice common signs such as ulcers more easily which could indicate head or neck cancer.

"Caught early, survival rates are good but they drop rapidly", she added.