10 Reasons Why This Campaign Has To Succeed .....

Michelle - “Great campaign. I had to have treatment for an infection in my gums/roof of month. NHS wouldn’t fund it and had to go private, cost me £800+!  Was so angry, this wasn’t cosmetic, it was an infection!  My dentist applied to the London dental hospital and they refused to see me twice as I didn’t fit the criteria. It was then my dentist referred me to a specialist in a private practice”

Alison - “I’ve had at least 8 root canal treatments and have lost 2 teeth. I’ve had countless infections and there was a time after chemo I had almost weekly appointments with my dentist. It’s probably cost me upwards of £2000 so far, all this is attributable to the chemo. I wasn’t told about the possible side effects to my teeth and also had no idea I should have had a check-up beforehand.” 

Kalie - “I broke one tooth during chemo which needed a filling, than a 2nd tooth soon after chemo which required root canal treatment, 2 temporary fillings and a crown. Cost for both £472. It also involved 4 appointments, each involving 150 mile round trips (a lot of petrol money and time).”

Sally - “I had to have 2 teeth removed and 1 filling total cost £638.50, all due to huge deterioration to gums due to chemotherapy. I also had to go private as unable to find a NHS dentist ...that doesn't include travel 2 hours for each visit.  I wasn’t informed to have a dental check up before treatment.”

Peter - “After I was hospitalised with cancer, I needed £2000 worth of dentistry to repair the dental decay.”

Helene - “After having a bone marrow transplant my son has had to spend hundreds of pounds on dental charges. The dentist told him the deterioration was due to the effects of chemotherapy. He was just getting back on his feet when the problems came to light.”

Scott - “I have head & neck cancer & my teeth suffered after Radio/Chemotherapy every day for 6 weeks. We are OAP’s & it has cost a small fortune in having my teeth removed then dentures. I had had my tonsils out prior treatment & a feeding tube fitted. On top of everything + other expenses it really would of made the distressing time a lot easier for us. Cancer doesn’t stop after treatment. Please all sign this very worthy cause. I’ve worked all my life & we have never been on benefits.”

Carole - “I was with an NHS dentist but missed a check-up while going through chemo was very ill. So got knocked off. I had problems when taking ibadronic tablets for bones had to go for emergency treatment NHS dentist in Shrewsbury 17 miles from home. This was 2 years ago - still not been able to register tried surrounding towns. I know I am not on my own there are hundreds in the same situation as me. Keep up your good work”

Katy – “I was told I wasn’t allowed to see a dentist during chemo and if I needed one then to use the emergency one. My NHS dentist struck me off because I didn’t attend for a year, along with my 3 kids. This was in 2016/17 and we still can’t find a new NHS dentist in Portsmouth”

Janet – “I have secondary breast cancer…. After the first treatment I developed a really bad abscess which could not be removed until chemo was completed. By the time I was able to have dental treatment, the abscess had damaged 2 teeth which had to be removed …. In the last couple of years my teeth have become very loose, feel like I'm 6 years old again. Brushing is difficult because the gums are so sensitive and I often suffer mouth ulcers.  I use a private dentist now so I do not have to wait to see someone.”