DIY dentistry on the rise as patients can’t get NHS appointments
DIY dentistry is on the rise because patients cannot get NHS appointments, a health watchdog has revealed.
The director of Healthwatch England claims that a growing number of patients have been left with no choice but to suffer in pain or treat themselves at home. Louise Ansari, national director, described the current situation as “dire” and said that people across the country are finding it increasingly difficult to access dental services.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 presenters, Ms Ansari confirmed that DIY dentistry had become more commonplace because people can’t get appointments with NHS dentists and they can’t afford to pay for private care. Examples include extracting teeth, using superglue to repair cracks and chips and filling teeth using DIY kits.
A new BBC survey revealed that in some parts of the country, including the South West, the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber, up to 98% of practices are closed to new NHS adult patients. Across the country, 90% of practices have no adult NHS places available and 80% are not offering new NHS child places. Over 15% of practices that are running waiting lists have a wait time of over 12 months.
The new health secretary, Steve Barclay, said that a “real sprint” was required to prepare the NHS for winter and deal with the consequences of increased pressure linked to the pandemic, seasonal illnesses and the rising cost of living.
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