The dental medical system of the British government’s National Health Service (NHS) is broken. Surveys show that 1/4 of patients choose DIY and would rather use their own forceps to extract teeth.
1/5 patients seek medical treatment abroad
Comprehensive British media reports, according to the latest Ipsos survey results, as many as 1/4 patients, because they cannot make an appointment with an NHS dentist, turn to “DIY” to deal with dental problems on their own, including tying cotton strings or using forceps to extract teeth. Another 1/5 patients are forced to fly overseas for treatment.
Waiting time longer than expected
The poll interviewed a total of 1,091 British adults, of whom 48% had made an NHS dental appointment in the past two years, 36% had not tried it, and 18% said they could not make an appointment. Among those patients who had no way to seek help, 26% said they chose “DIY” to solve dental problems, and 19% spent money to go abroad for treatment. Even among patients who managed to book an appointment, 36% said the wait time was longer than they expected.
Patient did not seek medical treatment for blood poisoning for 6 months
The Mirror reported a horrific case. Nick Whelan, a 22-year-old patient, suffered from toothache, but could not get an appointment with an NHS dental appointment. He had to rely on painkillers for 6 months. Unexpectedly, the tooth abscess became infected, and he developed blood poisoning. He eventually fell into a coma and almost died.
Private dentists charge astonishing fees
In addition, the Guardian reported that private dentists were suspected of “taking advantage of the situation” by raising fees for examinations, fillings and extractions to “eye-popping” levels. The cost of common dental treatments has soared since 2022, with patients paying as much as 775 pounds (approximately HK$7,784) for tooth extraction, 435 pounds (approximately HK$4,369) for tooth extraction, and fillings are not cheap, with patients paying 325 pounds (approximately HK$3,264).
700,000 emergency dental appointments launched
A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) admitted that the NHS dental system is broken and is launching reforms. “We have introduced 700,000 extra emergency dental appointment places and are monitoring children’s brushing to prevent tooth decay.”
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