Linda Colla, a 76-year-old woman from Ottery St Mary in Devon, has shared her distressing experience of having to extract three of her own teeth after waiting nearly seven years on an NHS dental waiting list. After moving from Nottingham to the southwest of England in 2018, Linda faced the challenge of finding an NHS dentist. She was unable to secure a local practice accepting NHS patients and, due to financial constraints, was unable to afford private dental treatment.
Earlier this year, as three of her teeth became loose, the pain became unbearable and affected her ability to eat. With no other option available, Linda took the extreme step of extracting two molars and one canine tooth herself in a painful DIY procedure. Despite the intense discomfort, she was able to manage the process due to what she describes as a high pain tolerance.
Having sought help from the NHS since moving, Linda’s struggle continued as she found herself on a waiting list with no resolution in sight. She spent £300 out of pocket to have work done on her dental plate so she could eat again but still faces significant challenges in accessing affordable care. Linda’s situation highlights the severe dental crisis in the south-west of England, where NHS dentists are limited due to funding, leaving many patients without care.
Linda’s story brings attention to the ongoing difficulties people face in accessing NHS dental services and the personal toll it can take. Despite her attempts to find an NHS dentist, she remains on a waiting list, still hoping to find someone who can maintain her dentures, which she cannot afford privately. Through sharing her experience, Linda aims to raise awareness of the urgent need for improvements in the availability and accessibility of NHS dental care.
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