NHS - Dentures/unsalvageable teeth help!

[BingoWasHisNameOo]

My dh has extremely bad teeth, he has never visited a dentist in his life (and was never taken even as a child, or made to brush his teeth, bought a toothbrush etc)

He is obviously extremely self-conscious about it but he is equally as petrified about going to the dentist and so he has never done anything about his teeth. I’ve always tried to get him to see a dentist but obviously I love him anyway and it’s his body so it’s his choice.

I honestly don’t reckon any of them will be salvageable, but he has finally come to the decision that as long as he can be put under GA to have them removed that he is willing to do so and will have to have full dentures. Obviously he is absolutly petrified but he’s also realised they’re too far gone to salvage, he is embarrassed and tired of being in constant pain/feeling self-conscious and this is now finally outweighing his over-whelming fear. He has finally asked me to help him get this sorted for him because he is so scared.

Problem is, we can not get an nhs dentist in our county or within hours of driving. Waiting lists are not even taking people on and frankly with the state of his teeth I don’t even know where to start with helping him get this sorted. Trust me, I’ve tried to get myself registered for the past 6 years and not got anywhere so don’t even know where to begin with getting dh help!

I don’t think there are any dental hospitals around here either - I’ve done extensive googling and not found anything.
We cant even begin to afford to do it privately, and with the state of his teeth I’m worried about it causing jaw decay, heart disease etc if we don’t tackle this asap.

I’m not sure if it’s worth phoning 111, when I’ve had to for dental pain as I've been desperate with no access to an nhs dentist I’ve been able to pinpoint the pain (eg a specific tooth has cracked) but we’re well past this point with his teeth and he couldn’t pinpoint the pain, as it’s everywhere as they’re all basically rotten.

Can his GP refer him for help, or what route would you take if you were me just trying to help?(but with a very low-income working household who definitely can’t afford private)

Thank you in advance, I’d be really grateful for any advice (and would appreciate no judgement on the situation if possible!)

If you can’t find an NHS dentist, then it will have to be through a private dentist. It’s really difficult now to get an NHS dentist ..

Like the rest of the NHS, it’s a complete shit storm.

I've no experience of your situation,I'd phone 111 see what they say.I feel sorry for your Dh no fun having a mouthful of pain.i was fortunate years ago private extraction almost full bottom teeth on Ga because of complexity of the op then NHS denture .

Thank you both for your help! I agree the nhs is in a sorry state, I’ll give 111 a try but not very hopeful!

I went to Moldova to get my teeth sorted. It was so much cheaper than my private dentist. I have a Moldovan friend who helped me with making the appointment and all the logistics but even with the travel and hotel it saved me thousands. I realise your DH is nervous and going somewhere not in the UK might be a step too far but if money is a consideration then it's not a bad idea.

I think 111 will only give you the phone number for emergency appointments that some NHS dentists may have... don't think they actually take you on as a patient, just tackle the immediate problem.
I moved to an area with no NHS dentist and have had to pay for an emergency filling at a private dentist. It was £80 emergency charge and £170 for a filling :(
My teeth aren't great, but no immediate problems, but I'm aware the denture route may be something I need to consider in the future

OP put your postcode into this website - it's very good.

dentalchoices.org/find-nhs-dentist/

Appreciate it might find that your nearest is too far away but worth a shot just to be sure.

Failing that, I recall going to an NHS walk-in centre one Sunday with raging toothache, hoping for something more than OTC pain killers until I could get to the dentist on Monday. They offered to pull it out! [No thanks 😆]

What area are you in op?

@PrincessofWells Dorset. Lots of places here say ‘accepting nhs patients when availability allows’ or something in a similar vein- but when you contact them every single one say no, not even taking on to a waiting list. It’s really annoying as it means on the nhs search they come up as having availability so hides how bad the problem really is of obtaining an nhs dentist down here!