The UK is facing a deepening crisis in NHS dentistry, with some Brits pulling out their own teeth due to the inability to secure urgent dental care, according to patient watchdog Healthwatch England. A recent report details how people in severe pain are turning to DIY dentistry, sourcing unprescribed antibiotics or traveling long distances for treatment, as emergency appointments remain elusive despite NHS guidelines promising help within days.
This issue underscores broader access problems, with 10 per cent fewer adults having seen an NHS dentist in the past 24 months as of September 2025 compared to 2019.
