Dental Crisis: Patients Are Being Forced to Pull Out Their Own Teeth

Eight years ago a GMB investigation revealed how difficult it was to get an NHS dentist appointment in England. Now, as the government promises to provide 2.5 million more appointments that promise, it's actually become even harder. We revisited our 2016 dentist investigation to see if things have changed. Contacting the same 100 dental practices in England, we found that of those practices we spoke to, NHS appointments offered dropped to 1% from 13%.
Jamie Totterdell joins GMB and says he hasn't had a dentist for 16 years and has been forced to pull out 2 of his teeth using pliers because of the pain he was going through.
Broadcast on 24/04/24
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#GMB #dentist #nhs #dentalcrisis

[@Tresi-lm7of]

I'm a dentist from Germany. All colleagues, dentists, i know, saying that England is the most unattractive place to work as a dentist. Why this....because dentist earning not enough in England. I earn 100% more (as normal dentist) than a dentist in England.... the government should make this job attractive for a dentist . Otherwise, the crisis will deepen.

[@MsKenzo7]

All NHS jobs in the uk should have a better payment package to attract better and higher caliber specialists, doctors and nurses. And to incentivise younger generations to take medicine as a career.

[@Mina-mj8xn]

The NHS dentistry is appalling

[@mjl2904]

Work for an employer that provides private healthcare and dental insurance as a benefit. This country’s public services are done

[@nyallsmith320]

Unfortunately not every company does that

[@libsybum3591]

I was sheltering during covid and basically didn’t leave the house for a year and a half. When I went to book an appointment at my dentist I found out they’d taken me off their NHS patients list as it had been over a year! No warning or notification at all

[@lanaoaks6567]

Going to be private for everyone in the future all done by design, don’t be so surprised they know GMB

[@lanaoaks6567]

I don’t think it will be a problem for Richard or Susanna to see a dentist do you!!

[@melgrant7404]

Her veneers are impressive.

[@RachyNoodleNest]

Here’s what I don’t understand. I’m a private patient and have been for many years, I pay £22 a month for 2 check ups, 2 cleans and 1 x-ray a year. I am not flush by the way. My annual income is average for the UK. I’ve NEVER had an issue getting an appointment, like ever. If it’s so easy for private patients to get an appointment, why can’t more appointments be freed up for NHS patients?

[@MsKenzo7]

Dentistry is private in Spain unless you need an extraction. I am sure same in many other places in Europe. But the cost privately is not as high as here in uk.

[@josy85]

Dentist are so expensive its ridiculous

[@sherron1045]

Ive lost 2 bottom front teeth due to an ulcer after an operation ...i cant find a dentist ....they all say private

[@pugly747]

My dentist moved and the practice said they couldn't attract a new dentist so I've been left in limbo, a couple of broken teeth now and nobody to remove them.

[@melgrant7404]

Go to accident and emergency if it gets worse.

[@aishailyas5702]

Far too many judgmental people in the comments. Going private is an option for some but not everyone can afford it. People have bills to pay. Dentists don't really care about helping people anymore. Everyone I speak to talks about dentists pushing people to get cosmetic work done which is such a shame. As a side point, we should stop funding foreign wars and focus on issues in our own country like this dental health crisis instead.

[@McSab]

Someone who understands it! 👏

[@McSab]

Someone who understands it 👏

[@alexanderhanna1762]

To say that dentist dont care about helping people like.. go work as a dentist after 5 years of college and i will see if you will take in patients for free. Do you think people would become doctors if they earned minimal wage but they can help people??

[@leighannclements7849]

My kids can’t even get an appointment unless we pay private this is vile!! I’m in Norfolk

[@user-yw1pd8ix1y]

I haven’t been able to get an appointment or register at bh’s dentist for four years ended up booking appointment in my mothers home city 2 hours away

[@NeonV38]

Also dentist over here will not accept you if you miss 3 appointments you lose them and no other will take you and that's wrong things happen and it's not fair that they don't let you stay with them im very lucky i do have a dentist as they gave me a chance but they nearly didn't as i got blocked from one over 15 yrs ago which is ridiculous

[@colettegibson6516]

Puling your own teeth out is ludicrous. I've never had an issue getting all the appointments i need - live in Warwickshire

[@leeatkinson1582]

Lucky you 👍

[@melgrant7404]

Bet you have a private dentist.

[@colettegibson6516]

@melgrant7404 no, always been NHS, no way can we afford private!

[@melgrant7404]

@colettegibson6516 so there is no guarantee it will still offer nhs patient appointments then .the way its going nhs dentists are leaving and not being replaced.

[@colettegibson6516]

@melgrant7404 sorry, I'm not sure what you mean? Without a crystal ball or tardis I'm not sure how I could prove or disprove my dentists continued ability to provide appointments in a timely manner via NHS..... You just sound jealous, which is ludicrous.....

[@jjr2707]

If u in live in Norfolk your not getting one anywhere

[@dailydarts180]

I am with a dentist in Norwich but it is private & getting more expensive now 1) ive been enrolled for a while 2) i am young so i think i get a little cheaper 3) but I have had stuff done and it cost around 500 odd all together 4 teeth taken out for braces and it cost £100 a tooth & recently had an exam, cleaning & x ray which cost around about £126 or £145 i cant remember but I remember being shocked at how much it was

[@user-mm5yd1en6j]

It sounds like it's already the USA model, but at half the cost.

[@Mrz-sb1hw]

I've had toothache in bonny Scotland and I've had nothing but good luck and it's been relatively easy to get a dentist even in lockdown. It seems to be an English thing.

[@melodiclodgings8]

Even here in Manchester its better to pay for private but even then you get price gouged out of money

[@malicahamilton]

Yep ! I spent 5k getting my teeth sorted privately 😅

[@peeg09]

My NHS Dentist has gone private. I'm in Northern Ireland. It's disgusting! Hopefully when we get a new UK Government things will IMPROVE!

[@MsKenzo7]

To be honest everything in the UK is astronomically expensive. Prescriptions being one of them, the price of same medicine in different countries is so much lower than here. And I am not talking double but more than double the price.

[@bbkknn333]

I just came back from the dentist 😂

[@DoctorDhanni76]

Way don't to take me 18 years experience in different countries

[@twaseverthus92]

Not going to a dentist for 16years will have been a choice though, it’s not been in this state for that long

[@bowjana8128]

Third world

[@Aaaaaaa-qe5kd]

Just pay private!

[@nathaliegrieves3859]

Shouldn't have 2.

[@aishailyas5702]

You can pay his bills for that particular month.

[@daleiveson8569]

Brush your teeth folks and you won’t have this problem

[@melgrant7404]

Still need check ups.

[@colettegibson6516]

Not if you have inherited bad teeth, I've always had issues with my teeth, rarely eat sweets/pop etc and brush/floss regularly

[@daleiveson8569]

@@melgrant7404 if you really need a check up just pay private it’s only about £50

[@ReclaimOurFreedom]

Dental Trauma q

[@MsKenzo7]

I have teeth that easily decay therefore I brush often. Floss and avoid sugar. Cavities of that magnitude are avoidable.

[@firey9998]

Ohh stop chatting absolute lies! If you really needed the work done you could afford it. Get a loan or something! Victims everywhere these days.

[@user-et6xp9px9h]

So you know his financial situation do you?

[@Aaaaaaa-qe5kd]

Completely agree

[@Beetlejuice10]

Exactly why is he crying that he pulled his own teeth out when could have went dentist and now wants someone to fund it because he’s damaged them more ?

[@firey9998]

@@user-et6xp9px9h nope but his excuse that he couldn’t afford it was he was self employed.. how have Good morning Britain managed to magically find someone to come in and do an interview?? Call me a tin hat wearer but I’m guessing he is a paid actor, so itv can fabric a story to get more clicks and make more money. I just do not believe someome couldn’t take out a small loan to pay for the treatment.

[@melgrant7404]

@@Beetlejuice10 he couldn't have a dentist.

[@Beetlejuice10]

I wish I could give u some sort of comfort 😂😂😂 surely he could use his bank card absolute fake ppl