Q. Dear Dr.Caplan. Firstly thank you so much for offering this service. I am a 51 year old man (but I only look 50!). I have had a very bad history with my teeth. A while ago I went to a private dentist and paid around a thousand pounds to have all the non-cosmetic work donew that my teeth needed. I subsequently ran out of money to have the considerable cosmetic work done that I would really like to. I have been to two NHS dentists since then and both just gave me quick check-up and sent me on my way. The state of my teeth caused me serious psychological problems. Wherever I go I do not feel like part of, ‘the real world’. I feel like an outsider in any social situation. I see people everywhere naturally smiling in every social encounter. This has has had crushing effect on my self-esteem, even though I am an intelligent and caring person with a lot to give. A relationship with a woman whilst my teeth look as they do is out of the question. I wrote a long letter to my doctor about this problem. She simply gave me the name of a local dentist that was taking on patients. This dentist was the one who just sent me away after a check-up, despite two of my crowns being cracked and other teeth in a very bad state. I need quite a lot of cosmetic surgery which there is now way I can pay for all in one go . I am prepared to pay as much as I can towards putting things right but I couldn’t pay, say, several thousand pounds at once. I have very bad and desparate feelings in myself, as my bad teeth have become so much part of my identity, I can hardly bear to look in the mirror, or sometimes go to work as I have to face many people every day. Is there no way that any dentist, or the NHS could help me, for the first time in my life at 51, to have a smile just good enough to interact in everyday situations? It’s very difficult to get past a dental receptionist to explian this situation. I hope you can answer me and at least get me one step forward, before I get to 52! Kind regards and all the best .
,