Londoners are increasingly resorting to "DIY dentistry" amid long waits for oral surgery on the NHS, according to new figures.
NHS data shows that Londoners waited an average of six and a half weeks to begin oral surgery last year, leaving patients in pain or at risk of further complications.
Oral surgery is a specialist area within dentistry, and applies to procedures of a surgical nature including the extraction of teeth or wisdom teeth.
Hermes London Dental Clinic, who analysed the figures, said a lack of available dentists able to perform complex procedures could be among the reasons for the long waiting list.
Dr Parneet Sehmi, principal dentist at the clinic, predicted that long waits could force more Britons turn to DIY dentistry, such as performing their own fillings using over-the-counter kits.
“This is a serious concern as prolonged waiting times can have a significant impact on people’s oral health. When your dentist recommends oral surgery to treat your dental condition, putting off oral surgery generally can mean your condition will deteriorate until it is dealt with," he said.
“While a small delay is not usually a cause for alarm, waiting for over six weeks to begin treatment can be disconcerting.”
He went on: “Patients waiting for oral surgery are most likely experiencing unrelenting pain, which could be from impacted wisdom teeth, or a misaligned jaw. Tooth and mouth pain can disrupt every area of your life, affecting social plans, sleeping patterns, and ability to concentrate.”
Healthcare England’s 2020-2021 annual report identified a 425 per cent increase in people struggling to see an NHS dentist.
Patients cited access and affordability as two of their main concerns.
Separate figures released on Thursday showed that more than 25,000 children had decaying teeth removed in hospital last year.
Data from the Government’s Office for Health Improvement & Disparities shows that 42,180 operations for tooth extraction took place in NHS hospitals in England in 2021/22 for youngsters aged 19 and under.
Of these, 26,741 had a main diagnosis of tooth decay, representing 63 per cent of tooth extractions for the age group.
The data showed that children living in the most deprived communities are around 3.5 times more likely to have teeth out due to decay than those in the most affluent areas.
