Powys: Dentist shortage led Newtown woman to pull out 11 of her teeth

Andrea Morris of Newtown has been struggling to find dentist since before lockdown, and ultimately started extracting her own teeth as the pain she was experiencing became too much to bear.

And another Powys resident from near Machynlleth has told how she fell unconscious as she took painkillers to deal with her own dental problems as she faced the same problems.

“I live in Newtown, no NHS dentist and can't afford private,” said Ms Morris.

“I was told that a dentist in Llanfair was taking NHS a few months back but no joy. More chance of finding dragons' teeth.”

Andrea Morris (Image: Andrea Morris)

In Newtown, two of the four dental practices closed over the summer, leaving just two practices to serve a population of around 18,000.

After suffering with pain from dental issues for an extended period of time Ms Morris took the desperate move of removing several of her own teeth.

“They just got loose and more wobbly until I couldn't eat or sleep, it was less painful to pull them than leave them," she said, adding that she took action “just as soon as the pain became too much to bear."

She added: "Loads of booze and clove oil and go for it.”

Ms Morris said even after this drastic action she still has not been able to get an appointment.

The pain in her mouth is severe and she hasn’t been able to brush her teeth for several years due to the pain.

“Food is very problematic, it has to be soft enough to be softened between my tongue and the roof of my mouth," she added.

"How long before I am eating through a straw?

“People need to know this, politicians need to hear this. Dentistry is a total failure. I could get a hip replacement faster than my teeth sorted – it's a national disgrace.”

Andrea Morris (Image: Andrea Morris)

Ronnie Bayford, who lives near Machynlleth, spent two months waiting for an appointment to deal with serious dental problems.

“I had two abscesses on my two back teeth, I tried everywhere to get into a dentist and no one would see me," she said.

The pain required her to take painkillers very regularly which ended in her accidentally overdosing.

She said: “Because the pain was so bad I took paracetamol every three to four hours but the pain didn't stop. Then I went unconscious and the next thing I knew I was in an ambulance going to hospital.”

Ms Bayford’s situation was only resolved after ringing 111 and finally having the teeth removed.

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According to the British Dentistry Association, access to services for new patients in Wales has more than halved since 2012.

A recent poll commissioned by the Welsh Liberal Democrats has revealed that 21 per cent people who failed to get an NHS dentist appointment in the past year have turned to DIY dentistry.

A spokesperson for Powys Teaching Health Board said: “The health board maintains a list for patients who would like an NHS dentist, and operates a dental helpline. By calling the helpline on 01686 252808 patients can be added to the list and can also receive advice for non-urgent issues.

“Patients who need an urgent appointment – for instance because they are experiencing pain – and do not have a dentist, or their dentist is closed for any reason, should call NHS Wales 111. They will triage the caller and assist in providing the patient with a timely appointment.”