December 1st 2024.
Linda, a 76-year-old woman from Nottingham, recently shared her harrowing experience of pulling out three of her own teeth. She had been waiting for nearly seven years on the NHS dental waiting list and finally took matters into her own hands. Linda moved to Ottery St Mary in Devon in 2018 and immediately began searching for a dentist in the area. However, she quickly discovered that most practices were not accepting new NHS patients.
Being on a fixed income and receiving pension credit, Linda couldn't afford to seek private treatment. So when three of her teeth became loose earlier this year, she was faced with a difficult decision. The pain from these loose teeth was making it difficult for her to eat, so she decided to extract them herself in a DIY procedure. She removed two molars and one canine tooth, which she describes as a "very painful" experience.
Linda explained, "I didn't have any other option. When I moved down here to the south west, that's when the problems started." Despite being on the waiting list for a dentist since July 2018, Linda felt like she had no other choice. She knows that extracting her own teeth is not recommended by the NHS or doctors, but she was left without options.
After the DIY extraction, Linda had to pay out of pocket for work on her dental plate in order to be able to eat again. She would have gladly traveled over 20 miles to see a dentist, but unfortunately, she still hasn't had any luck finding one. Linda's main concern now is finding a dentist who can maintain her dentures, as getting a new set would cost around £1500 if she saw a private dentist.
In an effort to raise awareness about the dental crisis in the south-west of England, Linda decided to share her story. She believes that this region is facing a dire situation when it comes to dental care. "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," Linda explained. She also revealed that the NHS has contacted her a couple of times to ask if she still wants to be on the waiting list, and her answer has always been yes.
The NHS has been contacted for a statement, but Linda's story sheds light on the challenges faced by those in need of dental care in the south-west of England. She hopes that her story will raise awareness and prompt action to address this issue. Linda's journey serves as a reminder of the importance of accessible and affordable healthcare for all individuals.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
