this is bbc news. the headlines at eight... more extreme heat is expected in the southern half of the uk over the next two days. around 7,000 households in surrey are being hit by a loss of water, while experts warn england's drought could last into the next year. the man suspected of attacking and seriously wounding author salman rushdie has been charged with attempted murder. travel disruption after thousands of train drivers from nine rail companies go on strike across the uk today. it's the latest walkout in a row over pay and conditions. the 82—year—old who reaches new heights. we'll hear from nick gardner, who scaled the final peak and completed his mission to climb all of scotland's 282 munro mountains. manchester united are bottom of the premier league after behind thrashed 4—0 by brentford.

and coming up at 8:30pm on bbc news... disappearing dentists — some people are going to extraordinary measure to do diy dentistry as they struggle to find affordable dental care. are we witnessing the death of nhs dentistry? let's start with some breaking news... around 7,000 households in surrey have been hit by a loss of water on one of the hottest days of the year. thames water has been handing out bottled water to people in cranleigh and dorking after what is described as technical issues at a water treatment works. supplies went off yesterday.

thames says fixing the problem is not straightforward but some customers are starting to see water return. we have been talking about hosepipe bans and how many of them are already in place. but bans and how many of them are already in place.— already in place. but it's likely that thames _ already in place. but it's likely that thames will _ already in place. but it's likely that thames will start - already in place. but it's likely that thames will start some . already in place. but it's likely i that thames will start some sort already in place. but it's likely - that thames will start some sort of hosepipe ban in the next couple of weeks. and of course that means... water companies have the right, once a drought is declared by the environment agency in england, there will be restrictions such as not being able to wash your car or water your garden orfill being able to wash your car or water your garden or fill paddling pools and swimming pools. so 7000 households in surrey not having any

water. the environment agency has warned that the drought declared in many parts of england could last into next year. the official declaration yesterday is expected to trigger stricter controls on water use, such as hosepipe bans. the drought announcement covers much of the south—west and parts of southern, central and eastern england. angus crawford reports. no more summer paddling here for debbie, brian and anne. water levels on this part of the basingstoke canal in surrey are just too low. it's going to be hard work because we've got to load the boats onto trailers or onto cars and take them and find somewhere else to go. it is frustrating, yes. in the winter, the water comes up to the top of the rust line. in a normal summer, halfway up. but now it's completely dry and there's so little water in the main channel that, from monday, all boats are going to be banned. this drought — changing lives and landscapes. ladybower reservoir in derbyshire, now half full. | i think we've got forecast extremes

of weather and that's the thing that iwe're now seeing become the newl normal with the climate emergency. and in west wales, fields of crops threatened by wildfires. in may, the perfect playing surface, but look now. the outfield burnt yellow. 0diham in hampshire has gone more than a0 days without a drop of rain, longer than anywhere else in the country. it's dangerous. they slip when they're bowling. they can fall over trying to field a ball and it's dangerous. so we've gone from having to water our square maybe once a week, twice a week to keep it in good nick to now doing it at least once a day. rain is on the way, but the authorities warn the drought could be with us for months to come. angus crawford, bbc news. let's speak to angus moorat, who's

the news editor for bbc surrey. tell us more, it started yesterday? for friday and much of today people have been having to get bottled water from three stations thames water has set up because of a problem at a water treatment works, they have got problems there and they have got problems there and they are hard to solve, but we don't know what those problems are precisely or when the water will be back. at the moment they say there are 7000 households who have no water or low pressure voter, they haven't said when the water will come back either. it haven't said when the water will come back either.— come back either. it will be bad enou:h come back either. it will be bad enough at _ come back either. it will be bad enough at any _ come back either. it will be bad enough at any time _ come back either. it will be bad enough at any time of - come back either. it will be bad enough at any time of the - come back either. it will be bad enough at any time of the year| come back either. it will be bad i enough at any time of the year but when we are experiencing this extreme heat, it really is all the more problematic.— extreme heat, it really is all the more problematic. well into the 30s in cranleiuh more problematic. well into the 30s in cranleigh today _ more problematic. well into the 30s in cranleigh today and _ more problematic. well into the 30s in cranleigh today and the _ in cranleigh today and the surrounding villages as well towards dorking have been affected, it has been really hot, people have been

struggling to get water. the water is for essential use. the hot water —— the hot weather continues in surrey and thames for water are planning a hosepipe ban or a sprinkle ban in cranleigh and guildford in the next few weeks as well, so how quickly they will get their daughter back and what they can do but it's still up in the air. this is the kind of thing that gets people phoning in to local radio stations, like yours. fine people phoning in to local radio stations, like yours.— stations, like yours. one of the thins stations, like yours. one of the things they _ stations, like yours. one of the things they are _ stations, like yours. one of the things they are bringing - stations, like yours. one of the things they are bringing about. stations, like yours. one of the| things they are bringing about is trying to work out which water companies supply them, surrey has five different water company supplying them, and they all have different restrictions on different areas, and one of the things that people are telling us is they are confused and they want the leaks fixed. there are a high amount of leaks from thames water and others in the area, not quite understanding what is happening with the hosepipe ban when thames water still has lots of water leaking out. find

ban when thames water still has lots of water leaking out.— of water leaking out. and bbc radio surre is of water leaking out. and bbc radio surrey is the _ of water leaking out. and bbc radio surrey is the place _ of water leaking out. and bbc radio surrey is the place to _ of water leaking out. and bbc radio surrey is the place to go _ of water leaking out. and bbc radio surrey is the place to go to - of water leaking out. and bbc radio surrey is the place to go to find - surrey is the place to go to find out all of the latest, thank you very much for talking to us. fire crews tackling a huge fire on scorched heathland in dorset caused by a disposable barbecue say they have uncovered a piece of unexploded world war ii ammunition. a bomb disposal unit has now destroyed the ordinance in a controlled explosion. the fire began on friday and led to the evacuation of a nearby beach. fire services across the country have called on people not to use disposable barbecues during the drought due the risk of wildfires. earlier, i spoke to brad stevens from the dorset and wiltshire fire service. it started yesterday lunchtime. it spread quickly across the nature reserve, which is primarily heathland of special scientific interest and a nature reserve. it took hold and we had around 12 plants there at the time and probably around 12 supporting

appliances that go off road as well. in terms of the cause of the fire, sadly, but not surprisingly, we have found a small camp at the base of the fire, including a remnant of a disposable barbecue. and, of course, this doesn't just cause a huge fire for you to have to put out. there's an impact on wildlife, too. you believe? yeah, it's huge. as ijust mentioned, the national trust owned most of the land around the area. it is a site of special scientific interest and a national nature reserve. and, very sadly, as is expected with wildfires, it does destroy the habitats of the wildlife. we have got some rare reptiles down in that area. we've got some smooth snakes and some sand lizards which are very endangered and quite niche to that area, sadly. and you've also seen some ordnance go off that's come from the second world war. you knew it was there, but even that's posing a danger, too. yeah, absolutely.

so, just to clarify, it didn't go off until it was a controlled explosion. didn't you start hearing bullets firing because of the heat? yes. so, apologies. so, yeah, yesterday we're aware that there's a lot of ordnance in that area going back to the world war two. it was an area used by allied troops for practising in what's known as 0peration smash. so we're well aware of where the ordnance is in terms of the larger shells and things. there were smaller bullets that were popping off yesterday that we're aware of, and we had to put certain safety in line for that. but, today, ourfirefighters uncovered two or three larger sort of tank shells. so that led to us having to put in cordons. and we got some great assistance from our army colleagues with the ordnance disposal, and they've come and carried out a controlled explosion to make that scene safe for us this evening so we can continue to damp down in those areas. 0bviously, whether this is a criminal matter

because of negligence is an issue for the police. but we are saying that quite a lot of supermarkets are now saying that they're not going to sell disposable barbecues because of the dangers they pose. what's your message to people who want to go out in this incredible heat and enjoy the countryside but do so safely? yeah, we're very much promoting people to go out, enjoy the countryside, especially in this heat. we're asking that people are responsible. so, if you're going to have a barbecue, please do so at a responsible time in a responsible area. and, as we've seen today, having a barbecue in an open space in tinder dry conditions isn't what we would. class as responsible. europe continues to bake under extreme temperatures, with severe drought conditions evident across nearly half of the continent. in germany, the lack of water is starting to have a significant economic impact while a huge fire is continuing to devastate forests in la gironde region in france. bethany bell reports from la gironde, south of bordeaux.

the woods near bordeaux are still burning. this area was hit by a massive fire injuly and another blaze this week. fire crews from across europe have come here to help their french colleagues, many of whom are exhausted. the pine forests and the peat—rich soil are like a tinderbox. even when the big fires are out, the danger still remains. as you can see, the ground around me is smoking there, smoldering embers here, which very easily can be whipped up into yet another fire. a blaze breaks out in the bushes. firefighters rush to put it out, but it's a constant struggle. last night, the flames reached the edge of a village, threatening several houses. we met the mayor as he supervised a truck spraying

water into the woods. we've never known a summer like this. it's a catastrophe, an environmental catastrophe, and also a climate catastrophe. the sun and wind need to be replaced by clouds and rain as quickly as possible. 10,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in this region. at a shelter in the town of sal, christian told me it's the second time he's had to flee this summer. i'm fed up with it mentally and physically. it's time to go home, but itjust doesn't stop. it's a very serious fire — the first time there's been such a big fire in our region. christian hopes he'll be able to go home soon. cooler temperatures are forecast for next week. but he, like everyone here, is worried about the future. bethany bell, bbc news in la gironde. prosecutors say the man accused of stabbing the author

sir salman rushdie has been formally charged with attempted murder and assault. sir salman remains on a ventilator in hospital after being attacked at an event in new york state yesterday. he's been the subject of death threats ever since the publication in 1988 of his controversial book, the satanic verses, which some muslims considered blasphemous. authors and politicians have condemned the attack as horrifying and also an assault on free speech. this report from our correspondent, nomia iqbal. sir salman rushdie remains on a ventilator inside this hospital after undergoing emergency surgery. his agent has said the author is in bad shape. he faces losing an eye, the nerves in one of his arms are severed and his liver is damaged. sir salman was flown here from the neighbouring state of new york. it was there at a literary event that the attack happened in full view of a large audience. a man in a black mask jumped onto the stage,

stabbing him at least once in the neck and several times in the abdomen. guests held the suspect down as others tried to help the author, who lay injured on the stage. i've been coming here for 31 years. this is one of the most peaceful, quiet places i have ever been in my life. you know, the guy has a price on his head from 1989. of all the places he might be attacked or hurt or god forbid, die, chautauqua would be the last place i would think of. the suspect in custody is 24—year—old hadi matar from newjersey, whose parents migrated from lebanon. reports say a law enforcement review of his social media accounts found he was sympathetic to the causes of the iranians revolutionary guards, a major military and politicalforce in iran. it was in 1989 when iran's spiritual leader at the time placed a death sentence on sir salman. his book, the satanic verses, was considered an insult to islam and led to global riots

which killed 45 people. he went into hiding for nearly a decade. questions are now being asked about the level of security precautions at the event where sir salman was attacked. but in recent years, he expressed discomfort about high levels of security, saying he wanted to be able to live his life freely. he remains very ill in hospital, he is still in a ventilator, this hospital has some of the most advanced facilities in the country when it comes to dealing with trauma. a24—year—old man is in custody, has been denied bail and has been charged with the attempted murder and assault of another that has spent a major part of his life living under the threat of extremist attacks. nomia iqbal, bbc news, pennsylvania. there is a line of breaking news here from the district attorney's

office, the district attorney in new york state was present at the arraignment of the suspect this afternoon and has released the following statement. he said he appeared at arraignment and pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and second—degree for the attack on mr rushdie and assault on the second degree in regards to the injuries that he sustained in the attack. he has been remanded to the countyjail attack. he has been remanded to the county jail without bail. attack. he has been remanded to the countyjail without bail. this was due to the arraignment hearing today, and we have no further details about when he will next appear in court, so the district attorney present to hear that not guilty plea. and we'll find out how this story, and many others, are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30pm and 11:30pm in the papers. 0ur guestsjoining me tonight are emma woolf and kate maltby. railway passengers across england, scotland and wales have been experiencing severe disruption today as a result of the latest

in a series of rail strikes. members of the aslef union, which represents around 6,500 train drivers at nine rail companies, have walked out for 2h hours in a row overjobs, pay and conditions. further action is planned for next week. the leader of plaid cymru has called onjonathan edwards to stand down as an mp. mr edwards, who has sat as an independent mp, was cautioned by police in 2020 for assaulting his wife and suspended from the party. earlier this week, it was announced he would be permitted to represent the party at westminster again, but adam price has since advised mr edwards to resign. the welsh secretary, sir robert buckland, has switched his support from rishi sunak to liz truss, becoming the first cabinet minister to publicly change sides in the conservative leadership race. he told the daily telegraph that, after deep reflection, he'd decided ms truss was the best person to take the country forward. a critical incident�*s

been declared by the nhs in shropshire. the crisis has been put down to a high number of patients arriving at hospital, difficulties discharging people because of a lack of capacity in the care sector, and staff absence because of covid. it means some non—urgent operations will be postponed. climbing all of scotland's munros, or mountains, is a rite of passage for some hill walkers, but can you imagine scaling all 282 summits at the age of 82? nick gardner from the highlands set himself the challenge after his wife was taken into care, and the royal 0steoporosis society has tweeted its congratulations because, this afternoon, he's completed his final climb of the munros challenge. here's more about his motivation. being with my wife is very challenging because she does

know me, but onlyjust. when your partner has alzheimer's, the problems are very severe. it has helped me deal with those problems. when i could no longer look after her, that was the game changer. that one really knocked me over. and i thought, "i have got to get a focus on life "that was going to last a while." just doing, say, a marathon wouldn't be sufficient. once i had done it, the challenge is over. i had to have a challenge that lasted. i wasjoined by nick gardner a short while ago along with craig jones, the chief executive of the royal 0steoporosis society.

i can't believe all the attention i have been getting, it's marvellous. i can, it is richly deserved, and this means you are now a munro bagger, as the title goes, tell us what that means.— bagger, as the title goes, tell us what that means. that in itself, i'm not ha - what that means. that in itself, i'm not happy with _ what that means. that in itself, i'm not happy with bagging, _ what that means. that in itself, i'm not happy with bagging, i _ what that means. that in itself, i'm not happy with bagging, i have - not happy with bagging, i have climbed them all but i'm not taking them off. ijust love climbing mountains, and so i thought, right, we will climb all of them. and then try and increase the awareness to these charities. bud try and increase the awareness to these charities.— try and increase the awareness to these charities. and one of them, these charities. and one of them, the ro al these charities. and one of them, the royal osteoporosis _ these charities. and one of them, the royal osteoporosis society, i the royal osteoporosis society, cray, tell us about the work you have done and how grateful you are money that nick has raised. it’s a money that nick has raised. it's a hue money that nick has raised. it's a huge thing _ money that nick has raised. it's a huge thing because _ money that nick has raised. it's a huge thing because two _ money that nick has raised. it's a huge thing because two thirds of people _ huge thing because two thirds of people are missing out on the osteoporosis care they need in the nhs at _ osteoporosis care they need in the nhs at the at the moment, the

pandemic— nhs at the at the moment, the pandemic is created a situation where — pandemic is created a situation where there is record demand and health_ where there is record demand and health charities because of the situation — health charities because of the situation in the nhs, it's a very difficult — situation in the nhs, it's a very difficult environment for funding, so the _ difficult environment for funding, so the donations which nick has raised _ so the donations which nick has raised have been extraordinary, it will make — raised have been extraordinary, it will make sure there are specialist hetptines— will make sure there are specialist helplines that can answer any call and we _ helplines that can answer any call and we can— helplines that can answer any call and we can commission a search into the break_ and we can commission a search into the break through the osteoporosis so its— the break through the osteoporosis so it's one — the break through the osteoporosis so it's one of the most impressive fundraising — so it's one of the most impressive fundraising campaigns we have ever seen _ fundraising campaigns we have ever seen. ~ . , fundraising campaigns we have ever seen. ~ ., , �*, ., seen. what is your wife's name, nick? janet- _ seen. what is your wife's name, nick? janet. and _ seen. what is your wife's name, nick? janet. and janet - seen. what is your wife's name, nick? janet. and janet suffers i seen. what is your wife's name, i nick? janet. and janet suffers from this and alzheimer's, _ nick? janet. and janet suffers from this and alzheimer's, why - nick? jarret. and janet suffers from this and alzheimer's, why did you want to raise money for these two charities in particular, in this way? charities in particular, in this wa ? ., , charities in particular, in this wa? . way? to support janet. when i could no [on . er way? to support janet. when i could no longer look _ way? to support janet. when i could no longer look after _ way? to support janet. when i could no longer look after her, _ way? to support janet. when i could no longer look after her, it _ way? to support janet. when i could no longer look after her, itjust - no longer look after her, itjust blew me apart. and i knew i had to get something to focus on and, since

i love mountains, i thought, right, thatis i love mountains, i thought, right, that is the one where i can get maximum enjoyment and, hopefully, that will enable me to cope with these emotional problems, so you could argue that the initial spark was me, i needed something to help me. and i was pretty sure that climbing the man rose would help me and very soon after making that decision i realised that, as a challenge, i can go public with it and hopefully get loads of sponsors. and you have certainly done that. before july 2020, how many and you have certainly done that. beforejuly 2020, how many mountains munros had you climbed? i had climbed a _ munros had you climbed? i had climbed a lot, _

munros had you climbed? i had climbed a lot, but _ munros had you climbed? i had climbed a lot, but not - climbed a lot, but not systematically all the munros, probably a quarter of them. i was not actually ticking them off or collecting, bagging them, ijust love being in mountains. hick collecting, bagging them, i 'ust love being in mountains. nick has obviously explained _ love being in mountains. nick has obviously explained the _ love being in mountains. nick has obviously explained the how- obviously explained the how important it was for him to try to find a focus when he was finding it difficult to look afterjanet and the fact she needed to go into a home, you must see that a lot with people who have done their absolute best to try to care for those closest to them? irate best to try to care for those closest to them?— best to try to care for those closest to them? ~ ., , ., ., closest to them? we really do and we know the conditions _ closest to them? we really do and we know the conditions like _ closest to them? we really do and we know the conditions like alzheimer's. know the conditions like alzheimer's and osteoporosis can be very challenging for families and carers and what — challenging for families and carers and what nick has done is notjust about— and what nick has done is notjust about the — and what nick has done is notjust about the funding for tigger charities, it's also about the example _ charities, it's also about the example he is setting which will have _ example he is setting which will have a _ example he is setting which will have a ripple effect to lots of other— have a ripple effect to lots of other fundraisers at this very challenging time for health charities because i think he has shown— charities because i think he has shown us— charities because i think he has shown us that anything is possible when _ shown us that anything is possible when you — shown us that anything is possible when you have the determination and the reserve. — when you have the determination and the reserve, and he has taken something which is a source of pain

and channelled it into something that will— and channelled it into something that will improve countless lives, and that's— that will improve countless lives, and that's a real example to us all and that's a real example to us all and he _ and that's a real example to us all and he is — and that's a real example to us all and he is a — and that's a real example to us all and he is a real role model to us all. and he is a real role model to us all |— and he is a real role modelto us all. ., �* and he is a real role modelto us all. .,�* , ., all. i don't suppose that the osteoporosis _ all. i don't suppose that the osteoporosis society - all. i don't suppose that the osteoporosis society is - all. i don't suppose that the osteoporosis society is one | all. i don't suppose that the - osteoporosis society is one that many people sadly immediately to support, but this really should have raised your profile. i support, but this really should have raised your profile.— raised your profile. i hope so. half of women — raised your profile. i hope so. half of women over _ raised your profile. i hope so. half of women over 50 _ raised your profile. i hope so. half of women over 50 will _ raised your profile. i hope so. half of women over 50 will suffer - of women over 50 will suffer osteoporosis and a fifth of men, it is quite _ osteoporosis and a fifth of men, it is quite an— osteoporosis and a fifth of men, it is quite an underrated condition, but if— is quite an underrated condition, but if we — is quite an underrated condition, but if we get this right as a society— but if we get this right as a society we can transform the quality of life _ society we can transform the quality of life for— society we can transform the quality of life for older people and make sure they— of life for older people and make sure they have the independence they need, _ sure they have the independence they need. they— sure they have the independence they need, they can avoid fractures and keep— need, they can avoid fractures and keep their— need, they can avoid fractures and keep their social connections, that is what _ keep their social connections, that is what we — keep their social connections, that is what we will be using the funding that nick— is what we will be using the funding that nick has created for the two charities— that nick has created for the two charities for, and we hope that lots of fundraisers will follow his example and raising awareness. | example and raising awareness. believe example and raising awareness. i believe you have four grandchildren, nick, how many came with you on many of these climbs?— of these climbs? none of them think of these climbs? none of them think ofthe of these climbs? none of them think of the mountains _ of these climbs? none of them think of the mountains in _ of these climbs? none of them think of the mountains in the _ of these climbs? none of them think of the mountains in the same - of these climbs? none of them think

of the mountains in the same way i of these climbs? none of them think of the mountains in the same way asj of the mountains in the same way as i do. i seem to be a little unusual in that i get an awful lot of strength from being in the mountains, it means so much to me. you finished... ken gwen was your last summit this afternoon. i almost hesitate to ask, but what next? you have climbed all 282 munros, you will not stop there, william? i have discovered l — will not stop there, william? i have discovered i like _ will not stop there, william? i have discovered i like the _ will not stop there, william? i have discovered i like the action - will not stop there, william? i have discovered i like the action of- discovered i like the action of fundraising, so i am not stopping. i will not be climbing any more... i will not be climbing any more... i will not be ticking off boxes to climber because it involves too much driving, but i will be climbing and raising funds, i will probably public and announce mountains that i want to climb and invite people to come with me. want to climb and invite people to

come with me— come with me. that sounds like a treat come with me. that sounds like a great idea. _ come with me. that sounds like a great idea, craig, _ come with me. that sounds like a great idea, craig, i— come with me. that sounds like a great idea, craig, ithink- come with me. that sounds like a great idea, craig, i think you - come with me. that sounds like a l great idea, craig, i think you might be co—opted, will you go with nick? nick has been telling me about all of the _ nick has been telling me about all of the therapeutic qualities of climbing and something it also gives all of us _ climbing and something it also gives all of us who have osteoporosis to think— all of us who have osteoporosis to think about — all of us who have osteoporosis to think about when we get older, it's very good — think about when we get older, it's very good. that because weight—bearing exercise like walking helps your— weight—bearing exercise like walking helps your bones so i feel like i need _ helps your bones so i feel like i need to— helps your bones so i feel like i need to be _ helps your bones so i feel like i need to be in the next flight with nick, _ need to be in the next flight with nick, putting this into practice. you have — nick, putting this into practice. you have a _ nick, putting this into practice. you have a great role model and guide, how much money have you raised so far, nick, it might have gone up after you spoke to all the journalists?— gone up after you spoke to all the “ournalists? , ., ~:: :: :: :: journalists? currently over £60,000. between the — journalists? currently over £60,000. between the two _ journalists? currently over £60,000. between the two charities. _ manchester united are bottom of the premier league after being thrashed 4—0 by brentford. it's the second successive defeat for new manager erik ten haag — as imran sidat reports.

benny bankers were back in the starting xi as he looked for his first win as manchester united boss, not a good start for the new manager and things were about to get worse, just da silva somehow finding his way through dyfed to hear, and if that was not bad enough, the spaniards day was about to get even spaniard's day was about to get even worse, the benefactor this time, jensen, as united's struggles escalated. and with barely half an hour played it was three, ben mee capitalising this time, united were shell—shocked. the brentford fans could not quite believe what they were seeing and they had a fourth before half—time to complete one of the most remarkable 45 minutes in premier league history. erik ten hag rang the changes in the second half with the remaining christian ericsson, but with the fans who's

discontent building of the field the problems for united may take some time to serve, after a day to forget in west london. now it's time for a look at the weather with susan powell. hello. it is hot and it is dry. and for many, that will be the story for the remainder of the weekend. start of the new week, things do begin to change. it will become more showery and eventually cooler for all by tuesday. extreme heat is still the story, though, for much of england and wales. through the remainder of the weekend, the amber warning stays in place. very warm night across england and wales. lows in some areas around 20 degrees. few isolated showers for the south—west of england, showers by the end of the night, pushing into northern ireland. this burns back through sunday. these showers start to get more excitable. some heavy thundery downpours to the north of northern ireland surging across into western scotland

and spreading their way northwards. isolated showers across wales and the south—west of england. still looking at temperatures in the mid 30s widely across england and wales on sunday. but there you see the heat easing as we move into the week ahead. now on bbc news, disappearing dentists. some people are going to extraordinary measures to do diy dentistry as they struggle to find affordable dental care. are we witnessing the death of nhs dentistry? a warning this programme contains images some viewers may find distressing. i haven't had a dentist for seven years and my teeth have been coming out. i hate my mouth. i hate my smile. if there was any way that i could keep them in myself, i have thought about super gluing them back in. these are the voices of people who desperately need help from the nhs, but simply can't get it. i really need to see a dentist, you know, because my son, you know, i'm really worried for his teeth

or his smile. you know, every dentist there's a no, we're not taking any more nhs patients, you know. we've traveled the country recording the stories of those who are suffering because they can't find a dentist. i make my own dentures at home every week. - it is demoralising, it's horrendous. you sit and you think, _ i'm an educated person, i shouldn't feel that this holds me back but it does, of course it does. _ our team of researchers has phoned thousands of dental practices right across the uk carrying out the most comprehensive research into access to nhs dentistry in decades. what it reveals is that some areas are now essentially dental deserts and that raises the question are we witnessing the death of nhs dentistry?