Battling barriers to NHS dentistry - Ian's story
Ian, 46, is a former British Army Soldier living in Andover, Hampshire.
After 26 years of military service, Ian was medically discharged four years ago at the start of the pandemic. He experienced a head injury during a training exercise. The injury left him suffering from epileptic seizures that led him to grind into his teeth, causing damage or, worse, knocking them out. Those events took a toll on his mental health and led to depression and PTSD.
The seizures have caused significant damage to Ian's teeth and jawbones. Some teeth have either chipped away as a result of seizures or crumbled due to the medication he's taking.
Ian had several rounds of dental repair work whilst in the military - jobs that now require their own maintenance.
"I tried to get NHS (dental) care when I left the army," Ian says. "But because it was during Covid, I couldn't get an appointment and there are no dentists offering NHS care in the area."
The NHS Veterans Support called Op Courage signposted Ian to Dentaid, the dental health charity, but Ian couldn't get through when he called them.
Unable to access NHS care, Ian has learnt to manage his dental problems. When he's in pain, he uses over-the-counter products (like ointments and painkillers). But, for more complicated issues, like his missing front tooth, there's nothing more he can do.
"I've lost two molars that have gone down to the pulp, so this is quite sensitive," Ian explained. "But it's got to the point where my nerves are used to it."
Ian says he would pay for private care if he could afford it. However, due to the seizures caused by his epilepsy, he's unable to work. As a result, when his teeth are damaged during a seizure, he can't afford to treat them.
"I'd love to just be able to smile without a big hole in my mouth," he says.
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