"Lack of Dental appointments "

In 2008 my family moved back to Kendal from Brighton and I have only just been allocated a dentist. While I was on the waiting list I tried a few times to get an emergency appointment (my front gum is now completely white - I've self diagnosed this as periodontal disease but I may be wrong) but apparently I wasn't classed as an emergency.

In March we were allocated a dentist but told that our first check up couldn't be until September (which I've booked). I have again 2 weeks ago to try and get an appointment and was told November would be the earliest. I've explained about my tooth but its still not an emergency - its getting alot worse. I'm now on a list for cancellations but I'm guessing this list is long!

I imagine I have to wait until my tooth falls out - I hope they see that as an emergency appointment! I think the NHS dental care in Cumbria is truely awful - ironically when I lived in the south east of England which is well known to me for over-streched services I didn't have a problem.