Michael Iott Dental Blog

The following is some result from a recent surgery of Brits on self treatment:

The Associated Press
Oct 17, 2007

LONDON – A shortage of National Health Service dentists in England has led some people to pull out their own teeth – or used glue to stick crowns back on, a study says.

Many dentists abandoned Britain’s publicly funded health care system after reforms backfired, and their reimbursements fell, leaving a growing number of people without access to cheap care.

The survey of 5,212 patients and 750 dentists in England found 6% of patients resorted to self-treatment, including one person who extracted 14 of his teeth with pliers. Other patients reported using glue on crowns after they popped off.

The survey found nearly 20% of patients have gone without treatment because of the cost.

The National Health Service provided care to the vast majority of Britain’s people, often for free.