DIY dentistry boom as coronavirus drives patients to self-treatment kits
The sale of DIY dentistry first-aid kits nearly doubled last year, it has been disclosed, as experts warn people against taking matters into their own hands during the coronavirus pandemic.
Dentists believe that the rise in DIY treatment is either because of backlogs caused by surgery closures or patients' fears of catching the virus.
Boots the chemist said that sales of at-home dental kits for lost fillings, caps and crowns were up by 87 per cent in the last three months of 2020, compared with the previous year.
The products that proved popular included a "long-lasting" temporary repair for caps and fillings, and a first-aid kit.
Dentists' surgeries are now open but are operating well below capacity because of restrictions on patient numbers.
The British Dental Association said that 20 million fewer dental treatments were carried out last year than in 2019 and that a backlog of cases may have driven people to DIY kits.
Eddie Crouch, chair of the BDA, said: “Patients should never have to take matters into their own hands. Sadly, this boom in 'DIY dentistry' directly reflects the choices made by the Government throughout this pandemic.”
Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, said: “DIY home dentistry is a terrible idea and should be avoided at all costs. Home treatments in untrained hands often comprise of shortcuts that come with added dangers and can lead to permanent damage to your health.”
He said anyone who is experiencing a problem should book an appointment with their dentist.
He added: “Having been closed at the beginning of the pandemic and dealing with a backlog of patients in the months that followed, most dental practices are now back to relative normality. You should be able to get an appointment.
“If you think you have been neglecting your oral health lately, or haven’t been to the dentist in a while, my advice is to go and book yourself in for a check-up.”
The pandemic and lockdowns have also led to an uplift in general oral hygiene products. Rex Brown, a toothbrush seller on Ebay, has seen sales up by 100 per cent year on year.
Sharon Sacki, managing director at Rex Brown, said: “We have witnessed an unprecedented growth in 2020. So much so, that in the last quarter of the year, we shipped over 9000 units of electric toothbrushes.”
A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “We want everyone to be able to access affordable, high-quality dental care and the government has taken unprecedented action to support the dental sector throughout this pandemic.
“Since last summer, all practices have been able to open to deliver the full range of face-to-face care. Priority access is expected to be given to urgent care and vulnerable groups, and over 600 urgent dental centres are providing extra support to the dental sector.
“NHS England have set clear targets for dental surgeries to improve patients’ access to vital NHS services, and we urge people to only undergo dental treatments from qualified and reputable professionals.”
