Dental Crisis in the South-West of England: A Personal Story
A woman, 76, has spoken out about her struggles to access dental care in the south-west of England, revealing that she was forced to pull out her own teeth after waiting nearly seven years for an NHS dentist appointment.
Linda’s Story
Linda Colla, 76, began searching for a dentist when she moved to Nottingham from Devon in 2018, but it quickly proved more difficult than she thought. Despite phoning the NHS and being put on the waiting list, she has still not managed to get an appointment.
When three of her teeth became loose earlier this year, Ms Colla decided to take the plunge and extract a total of two molars and one canine tooth herself in a ‘very painful’ DIY procedure.
The Daring Extraction
The daring extractor recounted how the pain from loose teeth was impacting her ability to eat and that they were only getting ‘looser and looser’. She explained: “I didn’t have any other option. I started looking for an NHS dentist, and couldn’t find one, so I phoned the NHS and they put me on the list.”
A Crisis in the South-West
‘I’ve been here since April 2018, and I started looking for a dentist in June or July that year – and I’ve still not got one,’ Ms Colla said. ‘The south west is in dire straits.’
‘I’ve been round local dentists, who have told me they can only take a certain amount of NHS patients due to funding, and they can’t take any more,’ she said. ‘The NHS contacted me a couple of times and asked if I still want to be on the waiting list, and I said of course. Six years later, as far as I know, I’m still on it.’
Conclusion
Linda’s story highlights the struggles faced by many people in the south-west of England in accessing dental care. Despite her efforts to find a dentist, she was left with no choice but to take matters into her own hands and extract her own teeth. This is just one example of the many stories that highlight the need for urgent action to address the dental crisis in this region.
FAQs
Q: What is the current state of dental care in the south-west of England?
A: The south-west of England is facing a severe dental crisis, with many people struggling to access dental care.
Q: What are the main causes of this crisis?
A: Funding constraints and a lack of available dentists are among the main causes of the crisis.
Q: What is being done to address this crisis?
A: The NHS is working to address the issue, but more needs to be done to provide adequate dental care to those in need.
Q: What can individuals do to access dental care?
A: Individuals can try contacting local dentists, checking online directories, and seeking assistance from their local health authorities.
Q: What is the impact of this crisis on individuals?
A: The impact is significant, with many individuals suffering from pain, discomfort, and reduced quality of life.
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