'My nightmare dentist reduced me to tears - now I'm going to lose all my teeth'

A woman who is set to lose all her teeth says the treatment she received from a nightmare dentist reduced her to tears.

Barbara Zdanowicz had her gum disease mismanaged for 22 years under the care of a Salford-based surgeon – despite going for regular check-up appointments.

The 68-year-old, who attended the practice between 1997 and 2019, claims she was diagnosed with gum disease at the very start of her ordeal, but was told to just brush twice a day.

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She continued to visit the dentist every six months until she began to notice her teeth felt unstable at the age of 50.

When she raised this concern during an appointment, she claims the dentist attributed the problem to her smoking habit and advised her to come back in another six months.

In 2003, Barbara lost a tooth and was informed she would lose all her teeth by the age of 60. Trusting the dentist’s judgement, she believed him when he said unusual lumps in her mouth were infections caused by smoking.

"I quit smoking in 2008 and informed him during a visit,” she said. “By that time, my gum condition had deteriorated significantly and many of my other teeth were becoming loose.

“When I highlighted that a back tooth was loose, his response was to press on it and casually remarked that I wouldn't miss it, showing no sympathy.

“He extracted my two loose front teeth and fitted me with a denture, an experience so unpleasant that it brought me to tears."

Barbara said she was also quoted a whopping £30,000 for dental implants – a sum she found extortionate – first giving her the