NHS dentist exodus sees people extract own teeth
DESPERATE patients in pain are resorting to ‘DIY dentistry’ and ripping their own teeth out because they cannot access an NHS dentist, a Birmingham MP has warned.
Preet Gill said an exodus of NHS dentists had left millions struggling to access surgeries, forcing some to take drastic action.
The Labour MP for Edgbaston said a dentist in her constituency told her they were ‘fed-up’ and considering quitting the profession as the situation was ‘demoralising’.
Ms Gill has written to the Health Secretary demanding action to fix the dental crisis.
She claimed years of under-investment had led to the closure of thousands of surgeries. Dentists have also quit the NHS in their droves, with many able to earn more by going private.
It has resulted in a lack of dentists offering NHS care and left patients scrambling for appointments.
It was reported last year 90% of NHS practices were not accepting new adult patients.
It means some people have gone to hospitals to have emergency treatment or even resorted to ‘DIY dentistry’ because they can’t stand the pain any longer.
Ms Gill said urgent action was needed to address the crisis.
In her letter to Health Secretary Steve Barclay, she wrote: “For years I have heard from patients and practicing dentists in my constituency regarding the crisis facing NHS dental care in England. Practices are facing
an exodus of dentists from the sector and patients are struggling to get seen on time, if they can be seen at all. With NHS services left hanging by a thread, patients are forced into ‘DIY dentistry’ or face having to seek help elsewhere in the health service through emergency departments and hospital treatment.”
She continued: “Just last month I heard from a practicing dentist in my constituency that the situation is ‘demoralising’.
“They describe how they feel ‘gagged’, ‘stressed’, ‘fed up’ and they are thinking of giving up the profession they love because the system is working against them.
“For years they have been battling against a system that doesn’t pay well to treat NHS patients, leaving them out of pocket and creating the situation outlined above where practices are giving up their NHS contracts or reducing the number of NHS patients they can see.”