I had to wait 5 YEARS to see a dentist: Father, 43, in agony from toothache ... trends now
A father who suffered sleepless nights due to severe toothache has finally had a check-up after a five-year wait.
Mark Thompson, from Wallsend, North Tyneside, said the dire lack of NHS dental appointments and soaring private costs left him unable to access the care that he desperately needed.
The 43-year-old was one of more than 100 people on a waiting list for free checks and treatment arranged by a charity clinic which travelled around Newcastle this week.
Mr Thompson was finally was seen in the back of a kitted-out Dentaid lorry, which mirrors a typical dental office.
Dentists were forced to remove the roots of a couple of his teeth that were causing him pain.
Mark Thompson (pictured undergoing treatment), suffered sleepless nights due to severe toothache has finally had a check-up after a five-year wait
The 43-year-old from Wallsend, North Tyneside, said the dire lack of NHS dental appointments and soaring private costs left him unable to access the care that he desperately needed
The Dental Charity lorry makes a stop to see patients including Mr Thompson outside of St Silas Church in Byker in the east end of Newcastle
