"Emergency Dental helpline NHS"

I was one of the patients who lost NHS dental services when my practice closed. I am on a waiting list for NHS Dentist in Dumfries several miles away from where I live. On experiencing severe acute dental pain I called Emergency Dental Line for assistance. I am someone who only uses NHS when I need it.

I ration myself and have only once seen a GP since I arrived in area 5 years. I was called about 08:30 person answering phone didn't seem to believe I was in severe pain and couldn't close my mouth. They suggested I have something to eat which told me they hadn't heard what I'd explained. The whole experience has shaken my confidence in dental services in NHS Dumfries & Galloway.

I ended up having to terminate my interaction with the Emergency Dental Helpline and drive 90 miles to access a NHS dentist in another health board area who explained that a healthy tooth had cracked over a nerve and that was why I was in agony. This meant I had to have a day sick leave from my work to get to dentist and means I am thinking of leaving Dumfries and Galloway for somewhere with satisfactory NHS dental services.