Almost half of adults did not even bother trying to see an NHS dentist over the past two years as many were deterred by long waits and high fees, an official survey reveals.

Just 52.4 per cent of patients responding to the NHS England study last tried to book an appointment during that timeframe - but almost one in four of those people (23.7 per cent) were unable to get one.

Meanwhile, over a quarter - 26.8 per cent - of those who did not attempt to see an NHS dentist said they now go private. 

Only slightly fewer - 24.7 per cent - did not think they would get an appointment even if they tried, while 5.6 per cent say the NHS fees for check-ups and treatments are too expensive.

The Nuffield Trust think-tank, which previously warned NHS dentistry 'has gone for good' and must be rationed to stand a chance of surviving, described the latest findings as 'deeply troubling'.

It comes after Wes Streeting met the British Dental Association earlier this week to discuss potential reforms to the NHS dentistry contact, which members say is killing the service.

The health secretary has vowed to deliver 700,000 emergency appointments after hearing how patients have resorted to DIY dentistry, including pulling out their own teeth, after struggling to access care even when in pain.

Almost 700,000 adults completed the GP Patient Survey, which was commissioned by NHS England and asks about the level of service delivered by GPs, dentists and pharmacists.

Responses to its questions on GPs highlight the demise of the 'family doctor' and show fewer than three in four patients are happy with their practice, with long waits and struggles getting through on the phone fuelling dissatisfaction.

Only one in three patients (32.8 per cent) now have a preferred healthcare professional they like to see at their surgery and just 39.7 per cent of these say they get to speak to this person 'always or almost always' or 'a lot of the time'.

This is despite studies showing regularly seeing the same GP can improve health outcomes and reduce pressure on hospitals.

Dr Becks Fisher, director of research and policy at the Nuffield Trust, said: 'The results on dentistry are deeply troubling. Only about half of people have even tried to get an NHS appointment in the last two years.

'Of those who didn't try, for over 60 per cent this was because of price, waits, private alternatives or the simple unavailability of NHS care.

'Labour's pot of money for urgent and emergency appointments will help patients, but it just isn't going to turn around a situation where half of adults aren't getting the care they should on the NHS.

'The new Government need to build on the promising talks with dentists this week to deliver the reform of the contract they have promised - a contract which has failed dentists and patients for nearly twenty years.' 

On GPs, Dr Fisher added: 'Particularly worrying is that despite clear evidence that seeing the same health professional over time improves patient outcomes, the proportion of people who have a preferred clinician is falling, and the proportion who actually get to see that clinician is now well below half.

'Having promised to 'bring back the family doctor', the new Government must use guidance and incentives to make this happen for more people, even if it means not demanding as many other things from GPs.'