THE mayor of London has the chance to go further to end the capital’s dental care crisis, the British Dental Association (BDA) has said.

A new report by London Assembly’s health committee has called on Sadiq Khan to take a lead on preventative policies and use his influence to press care boards to commission dental services.

The report, which also calls for the mayor to press for government reform of NHS dentistry, warns that dentistry in London is not meeting the population’s needs.

It found that two million adults had such unmet needs, equal to 28 per cent of the adult population.

The BDA argues that London can go further on tried-and-tested policies like supervised brushing, just as it has on free school meals.

BDA chairman Eddie Crouch said: “Sadiq Khan has a powerful voice.

“On free school meals, the mayor has already gone further and faster than the UK government.

“By using his powers and his influence he can do the same to ease London’s dental crisis.”

A spokesperson for the mayor said: “The mayor has no powers over the commissioning or provision of dental or other healthcare, but he is concerned about the challenges many Londoners face accessing dental services.

“He is encouraged by the new government’s focus on improving NHS services and welcomes its Dentistry Rescue Plan.”