Accident And Emergency Departments Flooded With Dental Cases Due To High Dentistry Prices
The number of people seeking help for dental problems in the UK’s Accident and Emergency departments has quadrupled since 2010.
In 2010/2011, 3,305 people visited an A and E department for urgent dental care, but the figure has soared since, with 14,526 cases in 2012/2013.
Head of health at Unison, Christina McAnea, said that the increase in dental cases was due to the fact that people were struggling to afford to see a dentist. She blamed the austerity measures implemented by the coalition government and said that people were using hospitals because they provide free treatment.
In response to the figures, the British Dental Association warned patients that missing out routine appointments to save money in the short-term was a bad idea because it increases the risk of oral diseases, which will contribute to higher treatment costs further down the line.
Ben Atkins, a dentist from Manchester, said that NHS care is heavily subsidised and many people are entitled to free treatment without even knowing it. He advised those who are struggling with fees to ask about exemption from NHS fees.
The figures are bad news for staff members in Accident and Emergency departments, which are already under intense pressure, due to increasing demand. Doctors and nurses and trained to deal with medical problems and they can only provide a limited service, which usually constitutes giving out painkillers or antibiotics, for dental issues. Dental injuries and problems, such as dental abscesses, cannot be treated by doctors and patients are advised to see an emergency dentist or schedule an appointment with their regular dentist.
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