Woman tells Keir Starmer she pulled out own teeth amid NHS dentistry crisis

26 July 2023 , 10:55

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Figures showed that one in 10 people were found to have resorted to 'DIY dentistry' (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Keir Starmer has been told the story of a woman in "chronic pain" who was forced to pull out her own teeth amid the crisis in NHS dentistry.

Figures earlier this year showed that one in 10 people were found to have resorted to "DIY dentistry" in desperation, including 56% in the past two years.

MPs on the Health and Social Care Committee, who have examined the "crisis of access", last month demanded "urgent and fundamental" reform of the system.

Appearing on a phone-in on BBC Radio 5 Live with the Labour leader, one woman, Sally from Cornwall, asked Mr Starmer what he was going to do about the NHS dentistry crisis.

She said was in "chronic pain" due to toothache, adding: "I always vote for Labour but I just feel if you come into power will there be a turnaround in what's happening?

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The Labour leader said the situation was 'horrendous' during a phone-in on BBC 5 Live (PA)

"It's been horrendous," she said. "I've pulled a back tooth out and one near the front. I've had to order online this dental material online to make that replacement tooth."

In response, Mr Starmer said: "Sally, I'm so sorry to hear about the situation that you're in and what you've had to resort to. It's horrendous.

"We've got to overhaul the NHS - it's as simple as that," he added.

"Dentistry has to be part of the change and reform of the NHS, Sally. So we have to get it back on its feet then we've got to make it fit for the future."

During the phone-in another caller also raised the controversial issue of the two-child benefit limit, saying it should be scrapped as it pushes people into poverty.

Last week Mr Starmer said Labour would not vow to scrap the policy before the next election - provoking a divisive row in the party's ranks.

Speaking on Wednesday the Labour leader added: ""We can't do that because I can't make uncosted spending commitments. That doesn't mean I'm indifferent to the impact that these measures on welfare have.

"Of course we will have a child poverty strategy in Government as we did last time we were in power and of course we will drive down levels of child poverty."

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Ashley Cowburn