Socialism Leads to D.I.Y. Dentistry in Britain

[BurfordTJustice]

Now we pull out our own teeth: Boom in DIY dental kits as patients cannot
afford NHS fees
THOUSANDS of Britons are carrying out DIY dentistry, pulling their own
teeth with pliers and using household glue to stick down fillings.


Unable to afford soaring charges, almost a fifth of people have all but
given up going to their dentist, the Sunday Express has discovered.

There has been a surge in sales of dental kits at pharmacies including
chemicals to whiten teeth.

Experts say that up to 200,000 DIY dentists risk injuring themselves and
missing out on potentially life-saving check-ups.

Up to a third of adults no longer have an NHS dentist, according to the
latest figures.

Gulf War veteran Ian Boynton, 46, from Woodmansey, East Yorkshire, pulled
out 13 of his teeth with pliers because he was in agony and could not find
an NHS dentist to treat him.

In another case a 46-year-old man from Wandsworth, south London, needed
major surgery after he stuck a crown into his mouth with super glue which
rotted the bone in his gum.

Other DIY dentists have whitened teeth with household cleaning products
and popped ulcers with pins.

Dental surgeon Julian Perry warned: "DIY dentistry can be extremely
harmful. It is vital patients get regular check-ups. Dentists can identify
mouth cancer and problems linked to conditions such as heart disease."

As many as 500,000 patients have been told wrongly they must pay privately
for treatment

DIY dentistry can be extremely harmful. It is vital patients get regular
check-ups. Dentists can identify mouth cancer and problems linked to
conditions such as heart disease

Dental surgeon Julian Perry

Sandy Renton, 41, of Hove, East �Sussex, lost a veneer leaving her with a
stump at the front of her mouth. No NHS practices could take her on and she
went to a private clinic which badly refitted her veneer and damaged another
healthy tooth.

Mrs Renton eventually discovered Oasis, a new chain of dental practices
that offers affordable private care and NHS treatments when it has space,
which resolved her problems.

Since a new NHS contract was introduced in 2006, the number of crowns,
bridges and dentures being fitted has fallen dramatically as dentists feel
they are no longer paid enough for time-consuming procedures.

As many as 500,000 patients have been wrongly told by their dentist they
must pay privately for treatment that should be available on the NHS.

Barry Cockcroft, Chief Dental Officer for NHS England, said: "All children
and nearly one third of adults who see a dentist under the NHS get their
treatment for free and 1.25 million more �people now see NHS dentists than
in May 2010.

"For those who do pay, NHS dentistry charges are very simple. Anyone
worried about charges should speak to their dentist, who can help them
ensure their treatment is affordable. No one should feel any need to put
themselves in danger by attempting their own dentistry."