A WOMAN who needs regular treatment for gum disease fears she will lose more teeth because she cannot get an NHS dental appointment.

The 33-year-old from Newton Aycliffe contacted The Northern Echo to share her story after two years of waiting to see a dentist on the NHS.

The married mother-of-three says she has had a phobia of the dentist since losing a tooth after previous treatment went wrong.

In order to get the treatment she needs for gum disease, and to help her face her a fear, she decided to pay for private dental care in recent years.

But after the family’s income fell and she could no longer afford private treatment, she tried to register with an NHS practice.

She said: “About two years ago, just before lockdown I made registration appointments for us. Then I was told they’d see the children but not me, my appointment was cancelled because apparently it wasn’t an emergency.

“I’ve explained over and over how I need regular treatment for gum disease, if I don’t keep up with the cleaning and descaling I could lose more teeth, and was promised they’d get back to me but nobody ever has.

“I must have contacted about 20, maybe more, dentists in the area and none have space. Yet I have been told by some they could treat my as a private patient, I cannot see how if they’ve room for me privately they cannot see me as an NHS patient.

“My gums have got worse, it affects my jaw bone and I’m pretty sure by the time I’m seen I will need two more teeth out.

“I need to see an NHS dentist, my gum disease has held me back and really affected me for a log time. I’m so self-conscience, it has knocked my confidence, people judge me and I think it’s affected my career.

“I hear Covid mentioned but I think that’s used as an excuse now, there is a ridiculous situation with our NHS dental service and it needs sorting.”

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