An analysis of Google Trends data by the anti-poverty charity Church On The Street reveals a staggering 500% rise in UK searches for “tooth pain” since June 2010, coinciding with the Coalition government’s ascent to power. The British Dental Association (BDA) reports that NHS dentistry has suffered cuts amounting to £1 billion since 2010, leaving many unable to access affordable care. As a result, some are resorting to extreme measures, such as pulling out their own teeth or attempting to reattach them with superglue.
In June 2024, searches for “tooth pain” reached levels seven times higher than those in June 2010, according to the data. Alarming spikes in searches for “how to remove teeth” have also been recorded, showing a 446% increase over the same period.
Pastor Mick Fleming, the founder of Church On The Street, which aids people facing chronic poverty, homelessness, and drug addiction, has witnessed firsthand the toll that inadequate dental care is taking on vulnerable communities. He stated, “Access to affordable dental care should be a basic human right, yet across the UK, people are enduring the shame and agony of constant toothache or turning to dangerous DIY dentistry.”
Fleming emphasized the severity of the situation: “These figures highlight the extent of the dental crisis after a decade of funding cuts. It’s deeply troubling that we now live in a society where people are forced to search for ways to pull out their own teeth due to the inaccessibility of private care and the shortage of NHS dentists.”
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