New NHS figures have revealed that only a third of people in some villages in West Kent regularly see a dentist .
The statistics showed that just 37.7 per cent of people across Tonbridge and Malling district visit a dentist for an oral health check-up – 16.3 per cent less than the Government's regional target for March 2011.
The figures are even lower in Wrotham and Ightham where just 34.8 per cent and 33.9 per cent of residents have their teeth checked.
Despite noting "significant unmet needs in some rural areas" around West Malling, Steven Ingram, director of NHS West Kent, said that the primary care trust "has no plans to make further investment in NHS dentistry during the remainder of this financial year".
But he added that the PCT "will consider future decisions on investment according to the priorities and needs of the local population".
David Hughes, chief executive of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, said: "There is a need for additional dentistry provision at or near Kings Hill and to serve the rural area to the north-west of the borough."
"More local dentists need to be encouraged to take up NHS contracts."
Sarah Gillender, practice manager at the private Fourways Dental Surgery, in Borough Green, commented: "There aren't enough dentists on NHS contracts to serve everyone."
"With all the red tape it's becoming harder all the time to run dental surgeries and if anything it's going to get worse as dentists get fed up and close."
