People are pulling their own teeth out due to lack of urgent NHS dental care

"People in urgent need of dental care are resorting to pulling their own teeth out, the patient watchdog has found. Those who experience a broken tooth, abscess or severe tooth pain should be able to get an urgent dental appointment within 24 hours or seven days, depending on the symptoms. But research by Healthwatch England revealed people in pain are unable to get an appointment."

"People across the country are unable to sign up with an NHS dentist even for routine care, and when they have been taken on as a patient, many wait for months for an appointment. Instead, many are resorting to self-treatment or unprescribed antibiotics. Others pay hundreds or thousands of pounds for private treatment or travel for an appointment. Some people have described journeys of up to 110 miles or travelling abroad for treatment."

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Urgent NHS dental care is inaccessible for many, causing some people to pull out their own teeth and suffer infections. Healthwatch England found people in pain cannot secure urgent appointments within 24 hours or seven days depending on symptoms. Many cannot register with an NHS dentist for routine care, and patients who are accepted often wait months for appointments. As a result, people resort to self-treatment, unprescribed antibiotics, expensive private care, and long journeys of up to 110 miles or travel abroad for treatment. Some pay hundreds or thousands of pounds for private dental care.

Read at www.independent.co.uk