The ongoing crisis in NHS dentistry has led to a dramatic increase in crowdfunding appeals, as patients struggle to afford essential dental care. According to a recent investigation by the Mirror, the number of appeals on the popular crowdfunding platform GoFundMe has more than doubled in recent years. This alarming trend has prompted the British Dental Association (BDA) to characterize the situation as a regression to “Victorian” times, where individuals are forced to seek charitable assistance for necessary medical treatment.
The NHS dental budget in England is insufficient to cover the needs of the population, leaving millions without access to care. Current funding levels only allow for dental services to cater to about half of the population, resulting in many dentists no longer accepting new adult NHS patients. The Mirror’s Dentists for All campaign highlights a decade of funding cuts that have effectively created a closed system, with patients resorting to drastic measures such as self-extraction or incurring debt to seek treatment abroad.
Paul Gwynne, a 40-year-old chef from Blackpool, recently launched a crowdfunding appeal to pay for essential dental work. He expressed his frustration, stating, “For a long time now I have been struggling with the way I look with the loss of most of my teeth. It’s affected all parts of my life… I can’t find an NHS dentist, I do work but don’t have thousands to spare to get new teeth. This seems to be my final hope.”
Statistics from GoFundMe reveal that the number of dental-related crowdfunding campaigns increased from 627 in 2019 to 1,297 by 2024. Furthermore, data for the first half of 2025 indicates an additional 852 new campaigns, suggesting a 31% rise this year alone.
Patients in Desperate Situations
The situation has taken a toll on many families. Lisa Cavanagh Smith, from Sandbach in Cheshire, shared her experience with her son Mikey, who was in so much pain he resorted to extracting one of his own teeth. After finally securing an emergency appointment, the dentist informed them that Mikey needed all his teeth removed and suggested a private consultation for further treatment. “He’s so embarrassed as he is only 29 and can’t smile and always has his hand over his mouth,” Lisa lamented.
Another case involves Alex Boot, an event manager whose wife, Bluebelle, has faced severe dental issues that have hindered her ability to work as a singer-songwriter. Alex stated, “We’ve explored every possible route through the NHS and community dentistry, but the severity of the work she needs… is not accessible without going private. The total cost is £12,000, and we simply can’t cover this alone.”
A spokesperson for GoFundMe noted, “More and more people are turning to GoFundMe not just in emergencies, but for everyday dental care they can’t otherwise access.” This trend underscores a significant shift in how healthcare needs are being met in the current climate.
Calls for Government Action
In response to these challenges, the Mirror has initiated an online petition in collaboration with the BDA, urging the government to reverse years of funding cuts. The Dentists for All campaign is advocating for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to ensure adequate funding for dental care, addressing the growing oral health crisis.
Despite a budget of approximately £3 billion for NHS dentistry in England, this figure has remained stagnant since 2010, failing to keep pace with inflation or population growth. The BDA estimates that this has resulted in a real-terms budget cut of over a third.
Eddie Crouch, chair of the BDA, emphasized that the current funding model is unsustainable. “As with DIY dentistry and queues round the block, ministers could end this all tomorrow if they chose to,” he stated.
In 2022/23, government spending on NHS dentistry per capita was £38 in England, compared to £57 in Wales, £59 in Northern Ireland, and £73 in Scotland. The UK currently has the lowest ratio of dentists per capita among G7 nations, raising concerns about access to care.
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the challenges, stating, “Years of neglect left NHS dentistry in an appalling state, but we are stopping the decay through our Plan for Change.” The government has pledged to roll out additional urgent dental appointments and reform the dental contract to encourage better access for patients.
As the crisis continues to unfold, the Dentists for All campaign emphasizes the urgent need for reform in the NHS dental system, aiming to ensure that every individual has access to essential dental care without resorting to crowdfunding.
