Hundreds of people spent hours queuing overnight outside a dental practice after bosses announced it would be opening up NHS slots.

Faversham Smiles also received 700 emails and 27,000 calls from people desperate to access the subsidised services.

The huge influx came after the practice in Preston Street revealed it would be providing 60 NHS slots to the first 20 people in the queue, first 20 to email and first 20 to call.

A national shortage of NHS dentists across the UK has meant thousands of people have been unable to register for affordable dental care.

Last month a damning report even found people across the UK have been forced to pull out their own teeth because they cannot access appointments.

Speaking shortly after 4pm yesterday, Faversham Smiles manager Elli Cain said: “Since 8am when we opened, and our intake began, we’ve had over 100 people attend the practice, over 700 emails, and our phone system has logged over 27,000 calls – so far!

“From the first 60 inquiries – 20 in queue, 20 by phone, and 20 by email - we have managed to secure appointments for over 120 patients.

“I appreciate that compared to the sheer volume of inquiries today, this seems like very few; I simply ask that everyone bear in mind that these appointments have been secured in the near future, without needing to wait for months.

“We must work within our capacity as there is no sense in booking in hundreds of patients but then not being able to provide their required treatment in a reasonable timeframe.”

To avoid experiencing a similar clamour for places in the future, the practice has now introduced a rolling waiting list that those who missed out yesterday were able to register for.

Among those who failed to secure one of the first spots was Fay Ackland, who wrote on Facebook: “Queued from 7am, emailed dead on 8 in the queue, and phoned and couldn’t get my kids registered.

“Hope the waiting list goes quickly so they can be registered with you.”

Ms Cain says those on the waiting list will be contacted when “capacity becomes available”.

“The team here have been working tirelessly to speak to as many people as we can, but we are human and can only try our best, please be patient with us, we are trying to help everyone,” she added.

“I am so proud of every member of this team today and every day, and I hope that you can appreciate their efforts as I do.”

The recent report by the Health and Social Care Committee examined NHS dentistry and called for an “urgent and fundamental reform”.

It said there was evidence of pain and distress that is “totally unacceptable in the 21st century”.

Residents in Kent have previously told of two-year waits for appointments amid ongoing struggles to see anyone.

Although cheaper than using a private dentist, NHS patients must pay for the majority of treatments and check-ups.

The move to increase charges was blasted by the British Dental Association in March, with prices rising by some 8%.

Price increases mean the cost of a Band 1 treatment such as a check-up now costs £25.80 – up £2.

A Band 2 appointment for treatment like a filling increased from £65.20 to £70.70 and a Band 3 treatment such as new dentures rose from £282.80 to £306.80.

The document cites a YouGov poll of 2,104 people across the UK conducted in March 2023.

It found 10% of people admitted to attempting “DIY dentistry”.

More than half of the group carried it out in the last year and 20% said they did so because they could not find an NHS dentist.

The survey also found 22% of people were not registered with a dentist, with 23% of those saying it is because they cannot afford treatment.

Responding to Faversham Smiles’ post, Lisa Jane wrote: “Thank you for giving some NHS patient slots to the public. It’s so sad to see how desperate it has got just to get an NHS dentist.”