...By Alan Peterson for TDPel Media.
New research has identified Glasgow and Nottingham as the toothache capitals of Britain, as millions of people across the country report being left in agony due to difficulties in accessing dental care.
According to a study conducted by the Toothfairy app, 47 percent of adults in Glasgow and 36 percent in Nottingham experienced dental pain in the past five years without being able to secure a dental appointment.
The Top Ten Worst Toothache Cities
The Toothfairy research also revealed the other cities struggling with toothache issues.
These include Cardiff with 32 percent, Birmingham with 31 percent, Liverpool with 30 percent, Leeds with 28 percent, Bristol with 29 percent, London with 27 percent, Manchester with 24 percent, and Edinburgh with 24 percent.
Dental Care Affordability and Accessibility Challenges
These findings come in the wake of a study by the British Dental Association, which highlighted the growing number of people unable to access dental care due to the high costs of check-ups and treatments.
The Toothfairy study further revealed that a significant portion of adults experienced dental pain not only due to financial constraints but also because of the lack of dentists accepting NHS patients or the unavailability of appointments.
Impact on Oral Health and Mental Well-being
Dr. Deepak Aulak, co-founder of Toothfairy, expressed shock at the number of individuals suffering from dental pain due to limited access to dentists.
The research suggests that dental health in Britain has worsened compared to pre-World War II levels, attributing this decline to the cost of living crisis, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and the shortage of dentists.
Long-term Effects and Mental Health Concerns
According to the Toothfairy study, 33 percent of participants reported experiencing prolonged toothache over the past five years, while 20 percent admitted to feeling terrified about experiencing toothache without being able to see an emergency dentist.
Furthermore, 17 percent indicated that the mere thought of not being able to secure an emergency dental appointment negatively affected their mental health.
Emergency Appointment Challenges
The study also revealed the challenges faced by those seeking emergency dental care.
Among respondents who sought emergency appointments post-COVID, 28 percent had to wait between a few days and a week, while 29 percent experienced excruciating pain while waiting for their appointment.
In Glasgow, this figure rose to 47 percent, and in Nottingham, it reached 36 percent.
Introducing the Toothfairy App
To address these dental care challenges, the Toothfairy app has been introduced, providing users with dental advice and the option to book a one-off consultation with a dentist for £25.
This allows individuals to receive professional guidance, diagnoses, and necessary prescriptions when required.
