Man extracts own tooth after waiting 18 months to see a NHS dentist

Dental care offered by the NHS has been described as a “postcode lottery” by The British Dental Association.

It comes after Mr Woodhouse, from Cornwall, was unable to find an NHS dental surgery and resorted to pulling his own tooth out with pliers in order to stop the pain.

In Devon and Cornwall there are almost 50,000 people waiting to register with a dentist, with some of them having waited for over three years. According to the NHS, there is only one dental practice currently registering new patients.

It is a crisis that is only getting worse, as more and more reports are surfacing of individuals pulling out their own teeth after feeling as though that was their only solution.

NHS England is trying to promote their emergency helpline, which can be used in these sort of situations.

Loveness Chihoyi, Trainee Legal Executive in the Medical Negligence team at Ashtons Legal comments: “It is shocking to read that patients are resorting to such drastic measures to alleviate their symptoms in the 21st century. I appreciate this highlights that the NHS dental care is under immense pressure; however, there are serious risks associated with ‘DIY tooth extraction’ and there ought to be sufficient dental services to meet the needs of the local population.’’