A huge shortage of dentists in London is creating "Dickensian conditions" and forcing patients to DIY surgery, the shadow health secretary warned on Wednesday.
Just 60 per cent of dental practices in the capital are taking on new NHS patients, surveys show.
Shockingly the number still puts London ahead of other UK areas.
In the South West, 99 per cent of dentists have shut their doors to new adult NHS patients, with just four practices saying they had appointments across the entire region.
Analysis of NHS data by the Standard revealed that just 49.5 per cent of children in the capital had seen a dentist in the 12 months up to June 2023 – the lowest figure of any region in England.
It is recommended that under-18s see a dentist at least once a year, compared to two years for adults.
Tooth decay is now the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged 6 to 10.
Labour's shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: "It's extraordinary that in looking at the those stark figures about the lack of NHS dentistry in our capital city, London is the best [in the country].
"Recently we've had cases of people pulling their own teeth out with DIY dentistry. Tooth decay is now the number one reason for children aged between six and ten being admitted to hospital.
"I cannot believe that we are seeing these sorts of Dickensian conditions in 21st century England."
Of the 713 dental surgeries who provided a recent update in London, 426 said they were not currently accepting any new adult patients.
Survey data suggests that last year around 4.75 million people nationally were either told there were no appointments available, or the practice wasn’t taking on new patients.
Mr Streeting said a Labour government would fund 700,000 more urgent dental appointments for patients in need of things such as fillings and root canals.
Incentives for new dentists to work in areas with the greatest need and supervised toothbrushing in schools for 3 to 5 year olds would also be introduced.
The £111 million plan would be funded by abolishing non-dom tax status, which allows some people who live and work in Britain to pay their taxes overseas.
"I think in dentistry we are looking at the Ghost of Christmas Future for the National Health Service if the Conservatives are given a fifth term," Mr Streeting added.
"Where those who can afford it, have to go private and those who can't are left in the NHS which will become a poor service for poor people."
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed on Tuesday that an NHS dentistry recovery plan will arrive in the new year, but did not give a specific date.
He told the Commons Liaison Committee: "It will be in the new year. Obviously there’s £3 billion that’s been invested in NHS dentistry with a reformed contract which is helping."
