He also struggles with mental health issues (Representative image: Unsplash)
A 50-year-old man from the UK has been pulling his own teeth for 15 years because he can’t get an appointment with the British National Health Service. David Sergeant of Leeds decided to take this step out of frustration because he said there was “nowhere this will get me”.
Sir Sergeant shared with Wales online how he does his self-extractions. He shared that he drinks beer and takes painkillers to numb the pain.
He told the publication: “I wait until the dent is loose, then I loosen it and loosen it and loosen it and pull it out myself. I’ve used pliers in the past, like the big ones, but the most of the time I just use my fingers.”
“I drink a few beers and fill myself up with ibuprofen and it comes out. The next morning there’s a bit of blood. I’m not feeling very well. At the end of the day I have to pull my teeth so that I should have someone to take care of me,” Mr. Sergeant explained.
The former professional butcher has lost faith in the system. He suffered from a toothache for many years and then decided to pull his own teeth.
He also struggles with mental health issues, receives Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and struggles to make ends meet.
Responding to Mr Sergeant’s concern, the NHS told Wales Online: “Anyone concerned about their dental health should contact a local dental practice as they usually would, or seek advice from NHS 111.”
The NHS further said that measures have been implemented to enable practices to accept more patients.
