Woman extracts her own teeth after she fails to get NHS dentist appointment
Linda Colla, from Devon, said she carried out the extractions "with great difficulty and lots of pain".
A woman in her 70s has claimed she extracted three of her own teeth as she failed to find an NHS dentist.
Linda Colla, from Devon, said she carried out the extractions "with great difficulty and lots of pain" as she could not afford to go private, reports BBC.
The British Dental Association said the "horrors" of taking your own teeth out had no place "in a civilised society".
Access to an NHS dentist has become increasingly difficult with political parties agreeing that reform is needed.
Ms Colla, who receives pension credit, said: "They were so painful because they'd loosened.
"I couldn't eat - all I could eat was soft food.
"It's not nice pulling your own teeth out. When they're big molars and canine teeth which I pulled out, it's no joke."
Ms Colla mentioned that she had to spend around £300 on her dental plate after the extractions to be able to eat again.
She stated that she relocated to Ottery St Mary in East Devon about six years ago and was unable to find an NHS dentist.
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A 2022 BBC study revealed that nine out of ten NHS dental practices were not accepting new adult patients.
Eddie Crouch, chairman of the British Dental Association, said: "In a civilised society no one should have to try their hand at DIY dentistry.
“These horrors are the direct result of decades of political choices."
Mr Crouch said the next government had "a moral responsibility to provide the reform and funding NHS dentistry desperately needs".
He said: “Failure to do so will spell the end of a service millions depend on.”
