People forced to pull out own teeth as dentists go private

Now thousands of high street dentists in England have stopped providing care on the NHS since the pandemic - leaving millions of people who cannot afford private treatment without access to vital health services.
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The British Dental Association told MPs that flawed contracts mean many dentists now see going private as the only option.
But with most families now grappling with the cost of living crisis - what happens when you need a filling?
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[@Obez45]

But teeth are actually organs that can affect the body fatally if not treated, why are they not part of the NHS service?

[@kellykreqeli8924]

They don’t care

[@maigepresents5840]

Teeth aren't organs bud... but the rest is absolutely true.

[@Lilyschild123]

They can even cause suicide if they get bad enough.

[@Obez45]

@Rishi This true I'm completely neglected them, I took the pain untill they became retained roots.

[@harismohammad2005]

@D C A and E doesn’t assist with dental issues unless they are life threatening.

[@Sam-Cain]

I'm in my mid twenties. There has never been a point in my life where I've felt patriotic for my country, right now I feel nothing but shame. How is this acceptable? How is it that not even the opposition care enough to do *anything* about the state we're living in? The further this goes on, we're not gonna have a "Cost of living" crisis, we're just gonna have a living crisis. I can already say I see no future for myself here.

[@jmoney4316]

So fuc**** sad it adds to my depression seeing all of this a happen!!!!

[@yungjoemighty879]

STOP VOTING TORY

[@miamitten1123]

You never felt patriotic....so why are you surprised!?

[@Sam-Cain]

@@miamitten1123 I genuinely don't know what you're trying to imply with this. I have never been given a reason to be patriotic. My lack of patriotism hasn't deprived me of opportunity or money or food, those are the *reasons* I am not patriotic. This country does not deserve my love, it has never earned it.

[@peterah7957]

The Tories have destroyed out services by not only by allowing this to happen but being heavily invested in the private health sectors.... People of the UK stop voting for these scum please!

[@aryastark772]

You would think U.K. is a third world country the way some of us are living. It’s disgusting, and people still vote Tory ignoring all of the suffering

[@traceyculyer5811]

Labour no better.

[@The_New_Abnormal_World_Order]

When will people realise, it doesn't matter who you vote for, the public will get shafted no matter what... that's the way it is!!!

[@traceyculyer5811]

Catch 22.@@The_New_Abnormal_World_Order

[@qedd722]

@@traceyculyer5811 I came to UK in 2009 and the access to doctors and dentists was much better I went to private surgery and I always met a real experienced doctor but now you can see only practicing nurse who playing doctors this is unbelievable.

[@wilfredletio]

I'm from a third world country and to be honest, back home, I can walk in to any public or private hospital without an appointment, and have a dental procedure done on the same day for less than £100. The service may not be top notch, but sometimes you just need access to treatment and regaining your health back.

[@LegionIscariot]

Tooth ache is the worst pain I've ever felt in my life.

[@jaynekittycat9252]

I know. I had toothache for 3 days. 111 were hopeless. Had to wait till MONDAY, when I saw my own Dentist. My left side of my face swelled up. Was put on antibiotics for a week.

[@MiscellaneousMeMe]

My mum says its worst then child birth and she gave birth to five children naturally 😖

[@lukekoleth4784]

Lived a pretty good life then

[@solitaire744]

@@MiscellaneousMeMe Yes it is; she's right.

[@littledudefromacrossthestr5755]

Ikr

[@susanwhitley812]

It makes sense to pay NHS Dentists a proper salary instead of paying per filling or extraction, and instead of paying out for more middle and upper management where most of the funds seem to go to. We should have a Health and Dental Service fit for purpose that the taxpayers expect - humiliating for people to have to wait on the street for treatment.

[@susanwhitley812]

@@tabularasa7775 Thank you and yes, I know as I lost many teeth when I was young for no reason and it sad that we are not compensated, or spend life having difficulty eating properley. :(

[@susanwhitley812]

@@tabularasa7775 Goodness, you have been through a rotten time of it, I do feel for you, and you are right it does affect your entire wellbeing, and not only that but left feeling socially embarressed, which I find particularly miserable. It also affects your confidence if you have teeth missing, though at least now you can buy ready made veneers over the internet - to hide the gaps. 😁

[@susanwhitley812]

@@tabularasa7775 Oh! Thank you - That is very sweet of you, until then I will dream of biting my way through a bar of vanilla nougat, whilst praying for gold nuggets you can bite on! 😃

[@steve00alt70]

The dentists said they make no money pulling out teeth, they are trained to prevent it

[@princesshassim6009]

YES i agree. If these creeps prefer money to the satisfacation of helping those in need give them a better wage.

[@mikehutchison4892]

Went to my private BUPA dentist yesterday,with an abscess.”You haven’t been since 2019,so you are no longer registered,goodbye !” Didn’t seem worthwhile pointing out that I’d paid £659 for new dentures,or that they had been closed for most of the past 2years ! So much for the improvement in service of privatisation ! Beware the Tory thinking.

[@jujutrini8412]

WHAT?! Outrageous. Did they not notice the pandemic? I would be raging.

[@jujutrini8412]

@JoS Yes I have noticed a lot of people are going to Eastern Europe for dentistry these days. Do you recommend Poland? I know someone who went to Czech Republic for major dental work and they were happy with results.

[@leemon2677]

Literally the exact same situation for me.

[@ryanwatterson4038]

This forced me to go to the dental hosp last thursday, £18 for extraction because its a dentist still in training

[@LLE08071635]

Maybe if more people worked and paid into the system it’d be sustained but I’m noticing more and more youngsters now are happy just being on dole and drinking smoking and playing video games rather than doing a hard days work

[@BloodlightObsidian]

I'm so grateful to have moved to Japan. I recently went to the dentist for the first time in 10 years and had a cracked tooth with filling replaced repaired to look like a normal tooth, and had them cleaned to look great for only £50. I walked in and made an appointment, the following week I had all work done in 30 minutes. There has to be a better solution back home in the UK.

[@emmacavalier]

Yeah i love the Japanese dentists.

[@McRocking]

Yeah, but try getting a silky-smooth BJ off a toothless old hag for a tenner. Not so easy in Japan, so it's "swings and roundabouts".

[@jesusisking3974]

Yes there is a solution...get rid of all those in Government and replace with people who hold commonsense and good morals.

[@xMrjamjam]

There is a solution it's called never vote tory

[@Espiritu_de_Obiwon]

Japan is a declining nation with a growing elderly population, and a shrinking work force. Problems will emerge in Japan faster than 1 can say dentist.

[@troygaspard6732]

It is ridiculous that two of the linchpins of general health are dental health and mental health. And that it is difficult now to receive either.

[@alanhat5252]

@Jac K the situation is bad enough without you trolling

[@kirishima638]

@Jac K Ever heard of a wisdom teeth or impacted molars? Even if you brush 5 times a day and never touch sugar you can still end up needing the dentist through no fault of your own. Typical I'm-All-Right-Jack attitude.

[@Lilyschild123]

Both these can cause suicide in certain cases.

[@Lilyschild123]

@Jac K mental health is nothing to do with how many times you brush your teeth. And I was neglected for the first 12 years of life so had no right food let alone ever saw a tooth brush until I ended up in the care system which has impacted my adult life and my teeth it's not as easy as you portray it to be. Sometimes it's not what you think that causes decay even women having children can take there teeth away. No matter how they brush their teeth.it can be calcium that people dont get that weakens them as well. People can have accidents and break teeth and need dental treatment even if there teeth are not bad. So your comment means you just think your clever but are not.

[@leonwoodford]

@Jac K ugh. I’d hate to see your teeth.

[@davidhaworth5674]

Two months ago I had to pay just under a thousand pounds to have two extractions under sedation. I'm on UC and I wasn't allowed any assistance. It's put me in really bad debt now. I despise this country and it's leaders for allowing it to get this bad

[@margaretcunningham9092]

Perhaps, if you had been an illegal immigrant, you would have been seen right away at no cost! None of the political parties care about the people!

[@ryanwatterson4038]

Travel to a dental hospital with trainee dentists practicing

[@simeonsimon6440]

​@천사 nhs will treat the infection XD

[@philomena333]

Its free in scotand and wales

[@AM-gy5xg]

im on a 300 patient waiting list for a nhs dentist crazy... Torys have driven the service to destruction with years of cuts.

[@HelenaMikas]

Did you vote Tory ? .If so what can be said .If you didn't get writing to the shadow minister of health .Please don't say that would make no difference.Watching this, a lot of indifference in UK .I'm British but came to work in Germany .Health care is good and no waiting lists. It is a National Health Service run in a brilliant manner Yes there is private for those who want but that is freedom but not at the expense of the majority ,

[@AM-gy5xg]

Helena thanks for your advise I would never vote Tory’s who vote to make poor all the working class and empower and enrich all their donors which has happened all the way through Covid our only hope is they are removed next election I fear many people will pass away under there leadership due to their policies.

[@RockDove5212]

My dentist told me the list was 7 years long for me to be get an NHS dentist

[@dadsbarmy254]

imagine this when the NHS is fully privatised.

[@miamitten1123]

Truly f**ked! If that is allowed!

[@lesleysidhoum1779]

My thoughts exactly - wish people would realise what is happening.

[@omkhuluBasss]

let get rid of the nhs , no privatisation needed. Its only going to get worse

[@christhomson8924]

STOP BEING STINGY AND START PAYING FOR DENTAL TREATMENT, you benefit scoungers!

[@christhomson8924]

STOP BEING STINGY AND START PAYING FOR DENTAL TREATMENT, you benefit scoungers!

[@Pining_for_the_fjords]

My wife is Polish and she travels back to Poland for dental treatment. There are no NHS dentists around, and it's cheaper to fly to Poland and pay for treatment there than it is to pay privately here.

[@Lilyschild123]

A lot go to Turkey as it's cheaper there as well. Go on holiday and have your teeth sorted at the same time. But ours just like to over charge the public cause they can. Vets are the same. And the poor cant afford the flights. A lot have never left the country. They cant afford those types of holidays or have pets for the same reason.

[@Pining_for_the_fjords]

@Rishi This No, please enlighten me. What's a toothpaste?

[@romystumpy1197]

@Rishi This to be fair these people probably spend their money on cigs, tattoos, dont bother cleaneing their teeth.they arent the brightest.

[@buk3695]

Isn't that health tourism?

[@Pining_for_the_fjords]

@@romystumpy1197 What people are you referring to?

[@roadaheadmedia]

I used a private dentist since 1989 but in the last 2 years their prices rocketed (£1200 for root canal filling and crown) so I had to stop using them. The NHS dentist says they are not so qualified to do this type of work and strongly recommend using the private dentist. They also say that the Dental Hospital probably won't be able to do this type of work either. It seems therefore that NHS dentists are being de-skilled as well as the numbers dwindling. Another push to privatise health in the UK.

[@SithicusPL]

You are correct about de-skilling. As NHS dentists we're forced to choose the quickest, simplest and cheapest procedures. I could spend 2-4 hours of surgery time on complicated root canal treatment, which would cost me an additional £120-150 in consumables (single-use equipment & materials) for which NHS would pay me £0 - so the treatment of choice is extraction.

[@elgringo1893]

Same, I'm still waiting for a double root canal, my NHS dentist (aren't taking anyone on now for NHS, haven't for years but I was already registered) say that they can't do it on the NHS so I've got to fork out £500 or lose the tooth. What kind of a choice is that?

[@Cavanho]

@@elgringo1893 sounds like a choice between continued toothache and no toothache Devil’s in the details though, if you want it ‘your way’

[@elgringo1893]

@@Cavanho what healthy 28 year old would happily have a tooth removed, especially the molar teeth? Luckily I can just about afford to pay for the treatment. Since I made this comment, the dentist have cancelled my appointment yet again and aren't answering my calls or replying to my voicemails either.

[@yvonnerout7319]

hit the nail on the head vote the f tories out

[@xelakram]

This country is in a terrible state. It makes me feel ashamed to be British. In years gone by, I used to be proud to be British. How can one feel pride in a situation like this? I hope people realise that Brexit has really made this situation far, far worse than it would ever have been had we stayed in the European Union. In the EU, we would be able to get dentists from all over the continent. This is proof of just how stupid Brexit has been.

[@sapainca]

How is this connected to Brexit ? There is no evidence we were replete with EU dentists.

[@SA-ff9uc]

I think mostly it is the massive backlog caused by covid lockdowns. Plus a poorly funded NHS that was just about managing before. It's comparable to the supposedly transitory inflation situation.

[@capricorn1970i]

I am not a Brexiteer but I believe technically you are wrong. UK can have dentists from all over the world, with or without Brexit. Probably these kind of people will easily fullfil all requirements now needed for a visa and work permit. Question is rather if UK is attractive for foreigners to live and work there? Edit: but yes, within the EU it is much more easy and less expensive to work in an EU member country!

[@xelakram]

@@SA-ff9uc Most of it has been caused by Brexit. Everybody blames everything on the pandemic and the lockdowns. Yes, they have played their part. But the fact of the matter is clear and simple to see: Brexit has been like a cancer in society. It is the cause of so may problems to date. And worse it will get. But fret not! You've got your blue passports to comfort you - if you can get one!

[@SA-ff9uc]

@@xelakram I'm not a blue passport fondler. I worked in Europe and wish I had the right to go back. But in this case, have we really lost many EU dentists? I need evidence.

[@leonwoodford]

How is this happening in modern Britain?

[@nannyofmany8315]

We are fast becoming a 3rd world country. Poverty is up. Wealthy people are richer than ever!!

[@JesseWetherell]

Neo Liberal politics, its been going that way since Thatcher.

[@marty2.059]

Because we have cunts in power and stupid people keep voting to keep these cunts in power.

[@yungjoemighty879]

STOP VOTING TORY

[@HelenaMikas]

People voted Tory for years .Currently the NHS is being sold off to US .

[@beaufighter245]

This is not right, there needs to be NHS dentistry available. Tooth ache has to be one of the worst pains. No NHS dentists where I live, I have to go private but fortunately I can afford to. However, I should have a choice. Just had a root canal at 2750 pounds and happily paid as the pain was intense. I sympathise with people suffering tooth pain and having to wait for treatment, not knowing when it'll be. How did this system fail as "when I was a lad" there was a choice of NHS dentists glad to take on patients.

[@Gaudine]

Jesus where did you pay nearly 3k for a root canal? Did you make them put a crown on it so the tooth doesn’t break when it dries out?

[@Mawds69]

I would expect an implant for that price

[@beaufighter245]

@@Gaudine yes, had a crown. The tooth had broken below gum line and required three visits. Brilliant dentist though and ok, fair bit of cash but, worth every penny!

[@beaufighter245]

@@Mawds69 When my tooth broke I was in a panic! My local dentist, private only, saw me the same day and sorted treatment. I had heard of root canal and never anything pleasant about it. However, brilliant dentist. No pain, not even with the injections. Crown fits perfectly so, worth the spend.

[@Mawds69]

@@beaufighter245 I've had 2 roots done, and they don't hurt. Well only when the nerve is scrapped out. But it's only for a second. Still nothing compared to the toothache that is akin to a acid coated serrated blade twisting inside you gum being charged with electricity. Nothing compared to that.

[@DeTrOiTXX12]

The UK is getting so bad that the poor will need U.N Humanitarian Aid to just survive at this rate.

[@don_barbour]

Or they could just get jobs?

[@emm_arr]

@@don_barbour "Or they could just get jobs?" Glib shyte like that doesn't work.

[@christhomson8924]

STOP BEING STINGY AND START PAYING FOR DENTAL TREATMENT, you benefit scoungers!

[@dav01kar]

see the trolls are putting in their tuppence WANKERS

[@urbanimage]

This story is very similar to what you see in the USA, where many people have no access to affordable dental care apart from that provided ad hoc by charities. Of course, many Conservatives MPs are great admires of US style health care.

[@Boo-pv4hn]

My concern for years was they they’d try and privatise everything, they are already doing to channel 4

[@andreak334]

And the same situation is happening in Canada

[@sarajane5306]

They eat less sweets and brush their teeth better in the USA.

[@patrikvavro1611]

Which Conservative MPs exactly are great admirers of US style health care? I think many MPs want more privatisation in the NHS but I’ve never heard any British politician defend US style healthcare.

[@alanhat5252]

@@patrikvavro1611 the recently-passed Health and Care Act promotes USA-style for-profit 'healthcare', if a majority of Torys didn't support it it would still be mired in amendments & might even have been thrown out.

[@gareth449]

What Irks me is that almost all the Private Dentists learnt their Profession at a college in the UK , many were given grants or assistance , They should have to sign a contract that after completion of their Exams , they are required for a certain number of years to work maybe once a week 4-5 hrs for the NHS

[@jamescrandall117]

Sounds like indentured servitude to me.

[@christhomson8924]

STOP BEING STINGY AND START PAYING FOR DENTAL TREATMENT, you benefit scoungers!

[@Lilyschild123]

Doctors give there time so many hours a month to work in out of hours clinics on a rota basis. I think that dental emergency clinics work on a similar basis it's just that they are overloaded as no one was seen at all for 2 years because of covid and now a lot need more care than before because they had no one to save their teeth from further rot.

[@mokoh786]

This is the governments fault. Not the professions fault.

[@mnomadvfx]

This ^^. Anyone medical professional above a nurse who received loans from the Student Loan Company should not be able to go private without paying their debt to the frickin people whose taxes made that loan possible.

[@BruceC]

A failed state - once the envy of the world and now this

[@doodles863]

Totally true

[@realbanter]

Its called gradual privatization of the NHS, a covert tory policy.

[@aliakbar7341]

When were we ever the envy of the world?

[@irminschembri1081]

The 6th "richest" country on this planet ??? You must have a very strange distribution of wealth in your country, dear British cousins !

[@Private-Hudson]

Yeah, it's called get rich off the backs of the poorest in society.

[@lesleysidhoum1779]

Indeed we have - it has all been transfered upwards to the wealthy .

[@cszrwi]

Tories ain't cheap you know. Them big houses cost money. What exactly did you expect?

[@lloydy272]

My mother in the UK was in hospital recently because her tooth infection got bad and with her untreated diabetes made her really sick. Me being abroad I was terrified for her. If she could have seen a dentist sooner or seen her GP about her diabetes it would not have happened.

[@SuperMissblueeyes]

I'm so sorry this happened to you & your mother. The lack of compassionate dental care is appalling. I hope you & your mother are doing much better now.

[@Gaudine]

She didn’t tell you until it got really bad? I don’t know your financial situation but didn’t you have enough money to send her to a private doctor?

[@SuperMissblueeyes]

@@Gaudine Here in the UK, the healthcare system is very different. Most people are unable to afford private healthcare. But dentists are different again. The lucky few who are able to afford private dental treatment are treated like royalty by dentists. People who are only able to pay NHS (National Health Service) prices are treated less than & those who rely on free dental care (for reasons beyond their control) are treated like trash. For these reasons, a lot of people (inc. me) develop a phobia of the dentist. While the medical part of our NHS is great, dental is very messed up.

[@pugglepooch]

I've lost 3 teeth as a result of not being able to access a dentist. During lockdown, the emergency dentist I was referred to said they couldn't do an x-ray due to covid so my teeth crumbled to the gum. I simply needed fillings. I had ti pull out an extremely painful tooth and ended up with swelling and a viral infection. I developed TMJ, got referred to a dental hospital but it was then cancelled (sold the emergency dentist whom referred me was responsible for treatment yet he told me he wasn't specialised in that area and could only suggest chewing gum! That made it worse. I still can't find an NHS dentist and still haven't received any treatment. I can't afford to go privately. I've been trying to find an NHS for 3 years to no avail. I now have to take constant pain killers and suffer migraines. Anyone would think we were living in a 3rd world country! 😢

[@ouchh100]

We actually are worse then 3rd world countries!!

[@alphagraficks1772]

LOok into Dental center IN Turkey, or any dental clinics where you can travel and get professional dental work done for fraction of the cost. I'm from USA and dental work is just as costly, I have few of my own dental issues. Couple filling, two Crowns and Implants would set me back 25k or more. Where as in Turkey it would be less than 8k with travel. Best of luck.

[@becky2235]

I didn't think I'd ever see Britain get like this nothing worse than toothache I can't even get a dentist, if you havnt got money to go private what do you do?

[@yungjoemighty879]

STOP VOTING TORY

[@don_barbour]

Get a job?

[@emm_arr]

@@don_barbour Glib shyte like that doesn't work.

[@michaeldavies3536]

@@don_barbour most disrespectful comment of the day. Not everyone can just go get a job and even if they do have a job they can barely afford to keep the lights on, clearly your extremely out of touch though

[@muhammadbilal2591]

You white people all over the world always complaining about your health. Why should doctors and dental surgeons help if you screw up your own health. Stop having alcohol stop smoking and stop having junk food. Why is it that white complain about everything.

[@jamgart]

This has been going on for years. I haven’t been able to get into a dentist for about 7 years after my dentist turned fully private. I remember a new nhs dentist opening up in Scarborough I believe, years before that and people were trying to get signed up for it from where I live (70 miles away) Even the dentist I had 7 years ago didn’t do anything for me in the 3 years I was there because I’m on blood thinners and they kept on putting off the work I needed done because of that. I’ve even fashioned out a fake tooth from mouldable plastic beads. It’s ridiculous.

[@The_New_Abnormal_World_Order]

Wooow. You wouldn't think that this was a first world country! I hope you figure something out. I fear things are going to continue to go down the toilet, from what I've been hearing.

[@tedcrilly46]

get yourself to hungary. cheap good dentists. well...cheap as you can hope for.

[@SombreroPharoah]

Mold able plastic beads are very unlikely to be food safe plastic and hugely probable to be leaking crud into your system if used a la tooth. Please try and find an alternative that's safer for you. It's dismal (albeit I will say very ingenuitive) you've had to do that

[@serena79.]

I had to pay privately in lockdown and being disabled and poor it was a lot to pay out for. Literally £300 just for a temp filling and then a root canal. But I had no choice. These dentist know they’re getting more money for private since the lockdown. It’s extortion

[@vxnova1]

$3000 in the us for a root canal

[@serena79.]

@@vxnova1 yea but you are covered by insurance we are not over here.

[@yungjoemighty879]

STOP VOTING TORY

[@vxnova1]

@@serena79. yea our dental insurance is weird though it covers the first I think 1k then we pay the rest, 1k is the limit for the year. Unless it’s covered by regular medical insurance like if you are in an accident or something, then the insurance doesn’t kick in until the bill hits 3k then they cover I think 80% until you are out of pocket 5k then they cover the rest, But we don’t pay taxes to cover that most people contribute to a saving account instead and use that to cover the bill, Treatment would be quick for an emergency though, same day or next worst case, Scheduling for non emergency could take a month though,

[@Sleepflowrr]

Temporary filling? If it needed a root canal that is what you had to get done, then restore it with a post and a crown or an inlay.

[@grahamsmith2022]

Pulling out all of your teeth with pliars and no anaesthetic would still be less painful than this excruciatingly painful government and Prime Minister.

[@michaelpout4798]

I couldn't agree more now we suffer cause of these greedy parasites

[@buk3695]

Please continue to vote Tories

[@grassytramtracks]

@@buk3695 I'm assuming that is a joke

[@CocoStudio14]

I believe you and its 💯 % true

[@buk3695]

@@grassytramtracks why ? The tory voters seem to be the ones mostly affected by the cuts and taxes so why change that?

[@gioiaworldwide8157]

I am German and used to be in love with GB all my life. I was often there whilst working for the EU, privately as well, during my studies as a translator, and I have dear friends in the UK. Most people in my country were listeningto und watching your Queen's funeral on TV over the week. We also admired her. However, since I heard on Monday night (on our TV programme) from British people that the funeral of your beloved Queen cost you tax payers 3 billions, I wonder when you take all this finally to the streets and stop suffering like that. It is incredible. Already Brexit was a big mistake! Sorry, but I can't stop writing...... All the best to you my British friends! I am almost in tears when reading your tragedies.

[@empirecook]

I had to have an emergency filling and was told that I’d need a root canal. 111 said they’d be in contact to help me find a dentist and because the dentists that I do find aren’t wheelchair accessible… Needless to say 111 didn’t bother calling back. Just like the south east ambulance service promised a phone call back to check on me after having chest pain. It’s infuriating how people are left to get on with it. It seems like a couple of people dead out of a couple hundred is money well saved.

[@Gaudine]

I called an ambulance one time and they said im not high priority so they’ll come out in 2 hours. They never came out or called me back.

[@jonemery8324]

No way ! I could save us billions ! For just a handful ...

[@RockDove5212]

I can't afford to see a dentist. I tried to get on the NHS waiting list to get taken onto the books of an NHS dentist, but the dentist told me it was a 7 year long waiting list. What a state our country is in.

[@KazeHorse]

And yet we still pay taxes to fund this 7yr waiting list.

[@bbgraham7367]

Yes, same here! I'm on a 7 year waiting list, I can't imagine ever getting a dentist at this rate, minimum wage does not allow for private treatment and working means no help toward costs, so we are basically screwed.

[@Jess-nc4oy]

mydentist (that's the brand name) do affordable 'private' care, called 'myoptions' honestly its not that bad, £39 for a check up and £99 for a filling. No waiting lists.

[@lauralove00]

@@Jess-nc4oy you have to be on a waiting list but feels like you're not on one I joined the waiting list a day ago and already got appointment but it's a month away - might be different with different branches of mydentist. Also I had to pay £45 for my teeth inspection.

[@richardburns5925]

@@lauralove00 I honestly don't know what people moan about, I've never bothered with NHS dental treatment, I've always been private, I've recently joined a new practice, I got an appointment a month away for a routine checkup, I went, she checked my teeth, "they look perfect Richard, I'm impressed, keep the brushing up, they don't even need a polish, see you in 12 months!" I said, "12 months?" She said "you can come before, but 12 months is fine" I show most of my teeth when I smile so I don't want any gaps, My teeth and smile are my appearance, I look after them.

[@mattg2861]

In Cheshire, the amount of dentists that only accept private patients has increased tenfold. There is literally only 1 that would accept NHS patients but the real issue I'm finding is that as soon as you start working then the government expect you to pay hundreds of pounds for treatment which is free on the NHS but with the price of gas, electric going up and the price of living ever increasing. There is no way one can budget for dentist care or even adording a monthly prescription for ongoing conditions. It does feel like the government has abandoned people who are on benefits and those who are working in low paid jobs.

[@grassytramtracks]

That's because the Tories are in and the Tories are perfectly happy to drive the country into the dust to make themselves and their rich mates richer, they don't give a toss about anyone else

[@cu99460]

I dont understand. I pay taxes and this is not paid for? If they don't want to give us a NHS service than fine, reduce my tax bill so maybe then I can have change left over to spend it myself and pay for my own dame dental care!

[@Lilyschild123]

I thought it was the national insurance payment that went to the NHS. And covid took away pensioners that should of saved a fortune in the NHS and pensions payments and care. And now employment is at an all time high so I dont know how there is no budget for dentists to be paid a fair price. Charities are going to have to spring up to help people soon. I might try having a charity open myself and ask people to help those less fortunate like they do for pets.

[@cu99460]

Rebate people's tax money because you, the Government, have failed to have provided the care we, the public have already paid for. I demand the public purse to be refunded!

[@moominmay]

@@cu99460 yeah makes me mad as a single person with mortgage and all the numerous rising household bills who has paid into the system for 25 years so far as a FT worker but when it came to needing a root canal I paid my NHS dentist but it failed within days so I paid again to a private root specialist almost 1.5k to get it redone properly over 3 sessions. I floss and brush nightly and this was my first ever dental work at the age of 45 so those trolls just copying and pasting about simply brushing your teeth need to realise that as one gets older then obviously even well cared teeth will eventually weaken and require some sort of treatment. I agree if I have to pay for any future treatments out my own pocket then give me a rebate and reduce my future NI contributions!

[@explorer0213]

Tooth pain is absolutely awful 😖

[@animusadvertere3371]

Why is the mouth not included in socialized medicine? It’s the same in Canada and I assume many countries. Absurd and stupid. Does it have something to do with a greedy dental lobby?

[@harismohammad2005]

Dental split from medicine a while back and became a separate part of healthcare for whatever reason, I believe both practices saw each other as inferior fast forward to today doctors don’t treat dental issues and dentists won’t accept patients.

[@burlhorse61]

yh not sure why nhs dentists are so rare?i've had private treatment b4, but had to go back to nhs.just too expensive

[@kartace1]

No, it's to do with a government that refuses to properly fund the NHS dental service. The government only comissions enough dental activity to treat 50% of the UK in any given year. What are dentists supposed to do? If there were no private sector then there would be even less access to dental care, the private sector is propping up a creaking unfit-for-purpose NHS system that disincentivises dentists treating and taking on new patients and unfairly penalises those that try to help patient's with the poorest dental health. This is unfortunately a very complex issue, but I can assure you this is not due to greedy dentists, it's political power games.

[@888ssss]

im a dental scan tech. i was priced out of london in 2014 and now work in spain. however, im slowly being priced out of here. i went tot he usa in 2019 and it was no better. so i have moved my hours to part time and tripled my rate. being the only qualified one for 3D scans im in demand, so i earn the same but i work a lot less. there is no real point working a 45 hour week.

[@Sleepflowrr]

Before pulling them out, try to save them if you can, cos you are gonna develop pain anyway when you start eating and then you are gonna need to fill the area with a removable, bridge or implant, this last one is very expensive and can take up to 5 months the full recovery and you have to get use to it and no longer eating the things that you used to. I struggled a lot I say it by personal experience.

[@Phil_529]

Implants can take even longer. Sinus lift + implant is roughly 10 months. Partial dentures are pretty much worthless.

[@georgemiller9212]

I recently came back to the UK after spending ten years in a developing country, I should have stayed there, this place is done!

[@sweeta17]

a consultant in england took pics in ahospital gang way about 3 years back hence no corona yet . hesaid is this a developing country because the people with flu were lined up and many also waiting in ambulances .

[@mario-qq7bq]

Come to the USA dentist here are a dime a dozen. We have the top dentist in the world. It only take about a couple of days to get an appointment. Where I live their a are lot of Asian dentist in my area that graduated with top schools and the wait time is none existence. It took only a week for them to remove my wisdom teeth

[@mario-qq7bq]

@천사 you in mine that American wages are higher than the uk so it not super expensive

[@emm_arr]

I've been saying for years that the UK is fast dropping out of the First World.

[@kingsleysummers1410]

All by design, you will own nothing and be happy

[@Marius.B]

Been living in a few countries by now, 6 years in England and I must say…by far the worst and most expensive of all when it comes to dentists. And this applies to the whole NHS and private as well, they should come to work and remember this: “ I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required, avoiding those twin traps of over-treatment and therapeutic nihilism.”

[@rttyplgkdde]

BREXIT...

[@sjchan3199]

Yh dont tar everyone with the same brush theyre not all like that

[@simeonsimon6440]

I agree that the NHS doesn't provide a workable environment. To be honest it's a joke and I defy anyone that lives in a city to see an A&E doctor in less than 10 hours. Screw paying them more or less they already get that in taxes. Docs will learn that you can only extort people once with medicine. The time they refuse it you lose a customer because you can't treat dead.

[@Babesinthewood97]

I live in Sweden and even private care here is cheaper than private care in the UK. I think the NHS needs more resources which probably means higher taxes. But it’s worth it. A better society.

[@bitsbobs8158]

The Tory government is collapsing our healthcare so they can privatise it. Its the last thing for them to privitise.

[@andrewdavis623]

2:53 listen to what he says " A NHS dentist will get paid the same for 10 fillings or just 1." This is why Government cant run health care what incentive does anyone have to work if the pay is the same for a little or a lot of work. Government is trying to manage and dictate something it can not understand. What works better is to let individual dentists and people set the price for the work letting the market compete as long as there is competition prices will go down as the market responds to needs on an individual basis. This is a micro taste of what socialism does to countries and industries when a small group of people try to determine what's best for a whole population of individuals with different wants and needs.

[@FayCreative]

Things is, the biggest issue with home dentistry and people pulling out their own teeth, is infection, cardio infection, sepsis.

[@lazarusblackwell6988]

Have some faith in yourself man.

[@stephenwalker2924]

'I pulled my own tooth out. It was loose so I numbed it, wiggled it, and just pulled it out.' 'OOOWWWW 'Did it hurt?' Quality journalism. Absolutely first-class reporting right there. (sarcasm level 10: critical)

[@emm_arr]

Are you stupid or just acting that way for attention?

[@Gaudine]

When you’re in pain everyday and it isn’t going away and it’s affecting your sleeping and eating, you got to do what you got to do. Although people should be careful they don’t cause more damage.

[@Redfizh]

In Finland, all dental care is free for children and the state pays for the treatment of adults almost completely. Private or public, doesn't matter. If somehow adult could not afford it, it's free. 10-60$/tooth, depending on the treatment.

[@jujutrini8412]

It is comparable to NHS. The problem is that there are fewer and fewer NHS dentists so they don't have the chance to use them. Pregnant women also get free dental care.

[@mnomadvfx]

It used to be the case for the UK too under the NHS - slowly the govmt whittled it down to a system that the dentists would not abide and ended up causing privatisation for most of them to the point that the emergency clinics were the only free ones available for years now, going on 2 decades.

[@rekaszabo2912]

Private dentists are very expensive. I paid £250 once in London for a filling. It was two fillings to be correct but between two teeth, so it was two halves. Since then I found a cheaper practice, there the prices are about 30% less. But that is still very expensive for some people I would imagine. I am lucky, I have good genetics, so far only have had that one cavity that needed filling. BUT rising prices means people should look after their teeth more properly, so they don't need the treatment so often. It is also people's fault. I look after my teeth, I brush them with electric tooth brush, I floss, I don't drink sugary and carbonated drinks, I eat healthy food mostly.. I understand that certain people and families are struggling but firstly everyone has responsibility for their own health. Most people in Britain don't care about their own health, loads of people have bad teeth, bad health. Women cannot cook, so they buy ready made food that is full of sugar and grease. People should change their ways and teach their kids too.

[@arabellamayer9195]

I had to pay a whole month's rent to have my tooth pulled out. NHS was too busy so wouldn't see me. I couldn't open my mouth, eat or clean my teeth!

[@Gaudine]

Az a baj hogy felkelek enni miközben alszok és úgy fekszek vissza.

[@carolevans5285]

Thats a bit rude don't you think , assuming everone us the same. Some people just can't help it. People like you make me sick

[@rekaszabo2912]

@@carolevans5285 I am not assuming that everyone is the same. Never said that. But everyone is responsible for their own health. "Some people just can't help it"???? What can't they help?? To brush their teeth after every meal or at least twice a day?? To watch what they eat and drink?? I said that I knew that I was lucky as I had good genetics, BUT I still need to look after my teeth the same way as everyone else. Maybe you are one of those people who neglected their oral health and now that I reminded you that it is your responsibilty you are feeling bad about it. We are adults. Who else "can help it" if we "can't help it"?? I refuse to accept this approach, it is not helping you.

[@chopper1lady]

@@rekaszabo2912 some disabilities can prevent people to brush their teeth. Both mental and physical disabilities. And regarding "women can't cook", what's the matter? Do men melt in the kitchen or what?

[@lazeppelini123]

Same in Lithuania. Poor will always be forgotten and rich will be richer.

[@Miss-Anne-Thrope]

My dentist has recently gone private only after losing the funding for the NHS patients. Dental care can be life saving, think about people who get infections that turn into sepsis or when infections make it difficult to control blood sugars in diabetics (like myself). I look after my teeth but my wisdom teeth meant years of abcesses causing problems, (never had teeth problems otherwise) and I had to wait two years to get them removed because I needed the hospital, all before the pandemic even hit us and I only got a referral by a private dentist. Let's not blame covid for this, it's the tories, they love privatising everything. It isn't just dentists either, I've been waiting almost two years for the gynae as well. And mental health services are virtually inaccessible too.

[@FayCreative]

High sugar diets too. Fresh quality low carb foods are not usually in food banks. Also when people are depressed they reach for sugar and alcohol.

[@buk3695]

All these people going abroad for treatment should remember that during all the campaigns , people were blaming foreigners for health tourism

[@cardiffb7914]

Had root canal treatment over here in the uk on 2 teeth months later infections and teeth fell out,been abroad and they were amazed at the X-ray and root canal work and talked me through everything and even done my own research and will never go back to a NHS dentist even caught one of my front teeth with a drill and even though I was numb I ask what happens it go in broken English it was nothing ,😳 No wonder the uk has a reputation worldwide for having bad teeth NHS👏🏼

[@lazarusblackwell6988]

Dentists have been using the same technology since the 90s. We should by now have WAY BETTER dental care but for some reason we just DONT GET IT. Be your own doctors people and share with others your experiences so that EVERYONE can LEARN how to TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES ON THEIR OWN.

[@hazepennington9303]

Here in the united states 'if you don't have insurance the cost of going to a dentist will Bankrupt you and if you do have a dental plan through the work place and most of these insurance plans are just preventive Care plans anyway, unless you pay the extra cost of getting an extra insurance plan that most people can not afford to pay the extra cost to have it and then if you do find a way of taking it out , some insurance companies will not pay out unless you have their Dental plan for months of paying into it , so in the mean time you are up 💩 Creek if you was to need it,, especially the Senior citizens that's on a fixed income , medicare medical insurance coverage covers very little ,if any for Dental , it's sad that people have to go through that kind of pain, it's one of the worst you can have is tooth pain, I hope the best for these people that need help , No one should go through that,,😢🙏

[@missdee212]

As an American I have not had that experience. I live in Chicago, IL yes for adults braces usually aren't covered but everything else is. Now that doesn't mean it didn't have a copay. Which I had to get a total of 5 teeth with cavities filled and I paid my flat copay of $145 for them all. I pay no fee for my cleanings and general visits.

[@starofdabloc]

This definitely was not the case for me or any one in my family Sorry this happened to you

[@myoldvhstapes]

Most US states have free dental for poor people. It's usually run through Medicaid.

[@TheDandonian]

If you voted for anyone but Labour, this is your fault. Corbyn would not have allowed this.

[@corky1548]

Labour Party 🥳 🎉 👍

[@steveb9630]

Are you on drugs?

[@sarajane5306]

Being desperate to go to the dentist will lead people to suicide. I remember once cracking a tooth and had to wait over the weekend. I had no sleep for the pain and if I'd have gone one more day I would have jumped off a bridge it was horrendous.

[@Lilyschild123]

I agree I know lots that have accidentally committed suicide because of tooth problems. One used lighter fluid to numb the pain and died from that.

[@sarajane5306]

@@Lilyschild123 there's no pain like it, you literally can't think straight because the pain is in your head. Even someone with the happiest of lives couldn't cope with relentless toothpain, I'm not just talking discomfort which is different, but the real banging stabbing throbbing pain you can experience in an emergency. A little tooth ache comes and goes and can be lived with but the acute pain is just unbearable.

[@elainemcdonald4117]

@@Lilyschild123 - how did lighter fluid kill them ? Did they accidentally ingest it ?

[@Lilyschild123]

@@elainemcdonald4117 yes he was squirting it in his mouth to kill the pain and it did something to him iam not sure if he swallowed it or it went into his lungs but he died from it he bought it from shop used it on the tooth to numb it I think and died on his way home in the rd.

[@markallan3842]

I'm sure the government are banking on it less money to fork out !

[@Markknott29]

Getting an appointment with my doctor is like pulling teeth.

[@KaleunMaender77]

Remember this next time you go to the polling booth. Vote as if your health depends on it - because it does, and the Tories and Murdoch don't give a rat's about the working class.

[@annmendes1361]

@Rishi This You heard of impacted wisdom teeth? Lack of dental hygiene isn’t the only reason to need a dentist

[@KaleunMaender77]

@Rishi This you think toothpaste is enough? ROFLMMFAO

[@gundlururammohan]

Scary situation. Result of everything going private. 😳😳

[@SusannaSaunders]

This is a nationwide crisis! I have had over £1000 dental bill this year alone! That is just crazy expensive! UK dentists have basically dropped out of the NHS system entirely in many regions of the country.

[@janszlazak9495]

This Channel 4 news are just too shocking. I have studied in London since 2018, but had to get back home after the COVID outbreak. I have been back in the UK since September last year, and could definitely see the difference. I feel the difference now with my heating off and budget planned for groceries. But I can’t remember headlines like these back in 2018 or 2019! I genuinely feel like things are getting worse here

[@astralfluxaf]

We’re not doing much better here in the US unfortunately 😒 I need dental care so bad… 😞

[@Phil_529]

US prices suck but we are way better off than this. I had an infected tooth extracted within a week.

[@Phil_529]

Look into Costa Rica if you need lots of dental work done. I just got back from Nova Dental and it was a great experience.

[@robinsoneveonline]

Why is it that a country can scramble Typhoon Fighter Jet's in the air within minutes, but fail to scramble a dentist appointment for you? I'd say toothache is just as urgent. Some people just don't live in the real world.

[@RhondaKL]

I’m 55,and due to medications,menopause,and genetically weak gums,my teeth are crumbling and I’m in pain. I had an NHS dentist,but during the lockdown,they removed me from their patient list,claiming I hadn’t attended appointments. (I attended all.) I called the number to help find an NHS dentist,and the gentleman I spoke to told me people who were exempt (as I am due to low income and medical issues) had been removed from their NHS dentist. I know I need to give in and get dentures. But there’s no way I can afford it. I just put up with the pain and crumbling teeth. Plus I’m too ashamed to be seen.

[@bobclark6703]

Clove oil rubbed on the gums takes the pain away until you can be seen by a Dentist.

[@woodrude78]

I had toothache during Covid and they were whisked out, no fillings due to the restrictions. Now that everything has opened back up its unforgivable that people can't access dental care

[@gillianbarker2663]

My dentist was still available through covid...she looked like she was doing a space expedition when she saw me but at least you could get seen.

[@SvetlanaSunnyGirl2025]

It's UNBELIEVABLE!!! THIS MUST CHANGE!

[@alanwisdom7777]

I lived in London for 10 years, I knew that the English healthcare system was not the best, but what I see there revolts me. The covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the great weakness of the English medical system, those who pay the price are the most precarious and disadvantaged populations. All this is revolting. We don't have that in France, people with low incomes can have free health coverage, with completely free dental care.I'm sorry, but during the Brexit campaign, supposedly all the problems came from the European Union. It is clear that these were lies, the English system had flaws and very important flaws, many reforms must be implemented, to improve the lives of the English and not to plunge them even more into poverty. A major reform of health and access to care urgently needs to be put in place How much longer will the most disadvantaged people suffer these injustices ? Are we in 2022 in England or in Middle Age? People who tear out their teeth themselves, and who are suffering! Where are we? Something is rotten in England.. The problem does not come from today, the problem is old, nothing has been done to prevent all these medical disasters. Some people must being held accountable. meanwhile tens of thousands of people are suffering!!!

[@TheSpanishGuitarHub]

I always go to Hungary to see the dentist, with flight/accommodation/prices still cheaper than the private dentists in this country.

[@buk3695]

Health tourism

[@goodquestion8064]

My local dentist is about to close due to no staff ,, I went last Saturday and the only two staff working were the dentist and assistant, the assistant was doing both receptionist role and assistant,, the dentist told me she is thinking about leaving the practice because it’s just too much,, she doesn’t want to quit but she just can’t deal with the lack of staff and high numbers of patients

[@jessetorres8738]

You still have a better system then what we have in the U.S. Over here, some jobs that offer health insurance don't include dental, and if you try to buy private health insurance dental costs extra.

[@WhichDoctor1]

Our tory party want to run the NHS into the ground by slowly and covertly privatising it to the point it becomes so expensive and inefficient they are able to insist the whole thing needs to be scrapped and replaced by a US-style private insurance health system anyway. Cause "the free market is more efficient"

[@Christinebanks11]

Over here we take care of our teeth .

[@christhomson8924]

STOP BEING STINGY AND START PAYING FOR DENTAL TREATMENT, you benefit scoungers!

[@kirishima638]

Dental plan!

[@akaleoh]

Why am I paying for the NHS if I have to resort to private treatment anyway?😂

[@mohsinrao4334]

A 'The Day Today' sketch come to life.

[@MrPaulorange]

Yep back street dentists, meeting them at night under a bridge for a tooth removal, 😢

[@Robfnord]

Wow I feel very fortunate to have been able to easily book and have my teeth cleaned today, it was pretty brutal but they did an amazing job , thank you hygienist ladies!

[@mulaa999jastoo]

keep voting tory's austerity. We are almost there for total economy shutdown after brexit. Migrant will soon stop coming after full economy collaspe. Finally a win you deserve.

[@davidingram3566]

My private dentist costs me £20 a month ( about half a dozen coffees or a burger meal)For that I get 2 check ups and 2 hygiene appointments a year, I also get discounted treatments. Dentistry should be preventative care sadly the NHS does not operate that way. If I had the option of a NHS dentist I would not use the service. At 65 I still have all my teeth and to be honest over the years it hasn’t cost me a fortune.

[@miamitten1123]

Always thought dentists 🦷 were free if under 18 or NHS if it’s an emergency/accident.....I always had to pay after turning 18.

[@Sleepflowrr]

Yes, if you go to the website, they will put an implant if you had an accident, I hope that is still the case?

[@Smokedog92]

I'm an NHS patient at my local dentist, but I still have to pay around £24 for a check up. I'm not even in the chair 10mins.

[@christhomson8924]

STOP BEING STINGY AND START PAYING FOR DENTAL TREATMENT, you benefit scoungers!

[@idriszakir3093]

Yeah I was with a private until 18 and now NHS-registered

[@idriszakir3093]

@@Smokedog92 same, it’s ridiculous!

[@springwood1331]

Try dental schools if you're near one, they used to offer cheaper treatments by a trainee dentist.

[@jamesbarlow4955]

What is going on in this country. There are only two types of people now. The rich and the poor. We need to take action! I had to Wait three months for a broken tooth to be fixed.

[@leonwoodford]

@Rishi This the trolling is real.

[@leonwoodford]

@Rishi This yes. I know. You are really bad at it. Be better.

[@leonwoodford]

@Rishi This ooooooo. What elements of my posts made me seem stressed sweetie? Try to explain using less cliches.

[@leonwoodford]

@Rishi This ooooo. Not a cliché, but definitely nonsensical in regard to the video. Try again darling.

[@leonwoodford]

@Rishi This my favourite thing about this is that you took so long to write “can you dress yourself?” That was it. That was the retort an presumed adult came up with. Worse still, you pressed post with no apparent embarrassment. It’s astonishing. Oh to delve in the mind of a bad KZbin troll. Brings out so many failed default states.

[@Thelolmonster2000]

I cannot begin to describe how much I loathe this government for stabbing and twisting the knife into the NHS. In a strange way, it's comforting to know I am not alone here but the figures speak the evil for themselves. If Tory MPs were forced to pull out their own teeth, or wake up sitting up after three hours of sleep because it hurts too much to lie down, for weeks at at a time, maybe they'd reconsider. During the pandemic I was struggling to get the money together to feed myself due to the rent being so high in the centre of a big city, one that used to be haven for the working class. What's a good way to save money? The best option my 19 year old brain could think of was drink fizzy drinks with lots of sugar, and my mental health was too wrecked to want to even brush my teeth regularly anyway. I chipped a tooth during a seizure (seizures I was left to regulate alone due to pressures on my GP you understand) and had to wait for three months so it could be extracted with sedation. Since then I've had three dental abscesses and have lost one front tooth, and three aren't far behind. I cannot undergo invasive procedures I need due to extreme anxiety, so this 'patching up' bullshit is no option for me. This patching up bullshit should not have to be the only option for anyone.

[@simeonsimon6440]

This is what happens when you prevent people from seeing a dentist for two years. Can people not see that certain health measures meant to cure (or slow/prevent) one thing may have had an antagonistic effect on other parts of national health?

[@awilliams7796]

It's all about cost...

[@bostonblackie9503]

Canadian Universal Health Care, at least in Ontario, does not cover dental care. All so has huge shortage of doctors and nurses. Cutting back hours in Emergency Departments, among so many other things.

[@MyLife-hl4or]

At my wits end and in constant pain - I've pulled a tooth myself as the nearest dentist available was over 100 miles away. After the initial jolt of pain, I was fine. However I must stress this is not a recommendation to anyone. I was lucky, I got all the tooth including the roots. If I hadn't I'd be in more trouble than I was, and I was lucky again that no infection took hold while healing...

[@TheRandomRoxy]

It's not about private or not private. Other countries have systems where it's private but affordable. Even NHS dentists can be more expensive than private ones in other countries. It's the system that's messed up.

[@RayJay7000]

The problem is the litigation culture of the british population towards dentists. Dentist in this country are often sued for things that aren't even their fault and due to this culture have to pay almost 20k a year just to get insurance in order to be able to work. Not to mention the costs of materials and the extra £1000 for their registration and the tens of thousands they have to spend on CPD. No wonder it's expensive

[@lifeaddict]

I feel like the nhs in general is under a huge management issue.

[@blockerhall4532]

I had a bad tooth last March and contacted my dentist and they told me they weren’t re registering patients so I finished up biking 10 miles to a new dentist, this is criminal imho.

[@oakstrong1]

This is just what I am going through. Although I am registered, I have had 7 emergency appointments for the same tooth that needs to come out, twice in emergency dentist because mine refused to give an appointment, 7 lots of antibiotics for the same problem, a tooth that needs to come out, totalling £198.90, never mind what a chronic infection does to the general health (The drugs killing vitamin producing friendly gut bacteria, strain on kidneys and liver trying to detoxify the drugs), non-productive time spent in agony when even over-the strongest over the counter drugs don't work any more and stomach ulcer caused by it. At one point my face was so swollen that I almost ended in AE! By that time the antibiotics didn't clear the infection completely anymore and the emergency dentis told me over the phone I could get a bad reaction if I have yet another courde of antibiotics (dentists have only two options) When I was finally given an appointment for extraction, the practice didn't have the right clamp so he put a request for it and made me another appointment when he thought he would have what he needs. At least he opened the tooth to drain the puss out, so my face is not permanently swollen any more. (I did have an appointment one before but the dentist threw a tantrum, no idea why, and I was sent back with a promise the manager would call back. I'm still waiting for it after 4 months and also my refund for the treatment I never got: the practice insists on pre-payment. Meanwhile, my son has wisdom tooth that is growing sideways. After 20 years in pain and episodes of infections. A temporary dentist agreed it needs to be taken out but he needs an X-ray from his regular dentist in order to get it treated privately. After a long wait, he got the X-ray done, but when he went to get it, they had lost it with any record of it being taken. He is also registered in the same practice and pays for his treatments.

[@v2xerxes580]

listen!!!start adding turmeric every day to your diet ....powder good as well ...and crack anes seed chew on it and hold it ....thank me later ...

[@kyrokyro2343]

Left LONDON OVER 40YEARS AGO and it was the BEST thing I ever did..

[@leonwoodford]

Er okay.

[@tornadochaser7226]

We have hundreds of thousands people who are fit to work leeching off the benefits system, get them working!

[@realbanter]

What get them working as dentists? is that what you are saying?

[@stillirise9705]

You have no proof of that, just spouting off

[@pamphletthebeanwolf5901]

Can't wait to escape this sinking ship of a country

[@Martial-Mat]

Who knew that short changing your health service workers, would lead them not to want to work for you? Pathetic.

[@chriswoolley6250]

Its reports like this that reveal the real state of affairs in the UK which make Mad Nad want to sell channel 4

[@pitchforkparty]

Terrible state of affairs for what one would consider a 1st world country. I fear the UK is going down the privatization road that defines America. Because we have MANY places in the US, that have similar conditions for just seeing a doctor! There are traveling "hospitals" that visit economically devastated regions where people have no access to ANY health care. Is this dentist shortage happening in the Netherlands, or Germany, or Spain?

[@eugenieponleve667]

At least not in France of what I know

[@Naomification18]

There is ONE NHS dentist surgery where I live for an entire town. The waiting list is 2 years just to join as a patient. Even then appointments are impossible unless you have a more urgent problem! Its crazy

[@yungjoemighty879]

*Tory Britain*

[@martinrobinson9061]

This happens in the USA. The Tories have pushed the UK down and down and the UK is not the poor man of Europe is the dead man of Europe.

[@fuckbankers]

Getting an appointment in London is a joke.

[@khossain786]

I wanted to do a scaling (of my teeth). I did it during my vacation in India for Rs.2000 (£20). Thank God I didn't wait for NHS to get an appointment.

[@jodiemorris7396]

The government don't seem to realise or care that missing teeth can seriously impact your life e.g, getting a job, feeling good about yourself, eating etc. They charge so much just for one crown it's insane

[@jacobnelson2608]

Currently in excruciating wisdom tooth pain everyday and especially at night. Problem could be solved if the tooth would just be removed. But because of dentistry in the UK, I can’t afford to get my tooth pulled. Now I’m sat here in excruciating pain that never ends

[@bianka2198]

Hi, I know I’m a bit late but i’m in the same situation. My wisdom tooth has fully decayed now and has been decaying since my appt in March when i was referred to a surgeon for a removal on the 22nd september. Then they moved it to next week and i’m currently in excruciating pain that’s spreading to the rest of my teeth.

[@davebox588]

Tory Britain. Is anyone surprised?