Boy, 3, can't eat and in agony because of teeth but can't see dentist for a year

30 January 2024 , 10:31

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Sid Hall can't get dental care despite being in agony (Image: Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

A boy of three suffering from a dental condition will be in agony with crumbling, black teeth for at least a year because of the crisis in NHS dentistry.

Sid Hall has hypomineralisation, known as chalky teeth, and needs four removed. But due to his age this must be done under a general anaesthetic in hospital by a specialist team. Sid’s mum Claire said the knock-on effect of difficulty getting NHS dentistry means hospital services near their home in Scarborough, North Yorks, are overwhelmed.

She said Sid is often in pain, struggles to eat and his language development has been stunted. She said: “All I can do is give him Calpol and Bonjela. Last week he was just saying ‘ow, ow, ow, not eating’.”

The condition is likely to have developed during Claire’s pregnancy or during Sid’s infancy. It has nothing to do with poor brushing. Claire said: “He needs the four back teeth out because three are completely rotten and one has just ­crumbled away. The rest of his teeth are beautiful.”

Sid needs teeth removed

Retail worker Claire, who lives with husband Chris, said: “I can’t believe we’re in this position in a developed country. The system is just not fit for purpose.”

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Sid’s NHS dentist referred the lad to a specialist but in June the family was told there were waits of up to 12 months just for an initial assessment due to “high demand”.

The British Dental Association said the oral health crisis means linked specialist hospital services face huge backlogs. A BBC investigation found 90% of practices in England are not accepting new adult NHS patients.

The Mirror has launched Dentists for All with demands to rescue NHS dentistry. BDA chairman Eddie Crouch said: “The Government’s indifference to dentistry is hitting every corner of our NHS.”

A spokesman for Harrogate and District NHS Trust said: “We are very sorry to hear about Sid’s current condition. Timely treatment of patients in our care is a core priority.”

Martin Bagot