What to do in a dental emergency in Greater Manchester as people 'forced to pull out own teeth'

A new report has found that people have been forced to pull out their own teeth because they cannot get or afford an NHS dentist – making advice on what to do if suffering a dental emergency increasingly important.

The report revealed that people had pulled out teeth with pliers at home and had been forced to travel five hours to see an NHS dentist. The Health and Social Care Committee's investigation into NHS dental services called for 'urgent and fundamental reform' and found there was evidence of pain and distress that is 'totally unacceptable in the 21st century'.

The report also found that almost a quarter of the UK population are not registered with a dentist. The document cited a YouGov poll of 2,104 people across the UK conducted in March 2023.

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It found 10 per cent of people admitted to attempting 'DIY dentistry'. More than half - 56 per cent - of the group carried it out in the last year and 20 per cent said they did so because they could not find an NHS dentist.

The survey also found 22 per cent of people were not registered with a dentist, with 23 per cent of those saying it is because they cannot afford treatment.

A roundtable hosted by the committee in June also heard accounts of patients extracting their own teeth at home, as well as people feeling isolated due to worsening oral health. The report said there is a 'significant regional variation' in access to NHS dentistry.

In Greater Manchester, there is crucial advice available on what to do if you are having a dental emergency in the region. This includes the local urgent dental care service which you can call when in need.

“If you have pain in