- Epilepsy sufferers may experience dental injuries, such as a chipped tooth, during a seizure.
- Approximately half of these individuals do not get their dental injuries repaired due to the high cost of treatment.
Charity campaigners are urging the NHS to provide free dental repairs for individuals who sustain dental injuries during epileptic seizures.
According to the Epilepsy Society, approximately half of those who experience dental injuries during a seizure, such as broken or chipped teeth, do not have them repaired due to the high cost of treatment.
As a result, many patients are left with permanent missing teeth.
Clare Pelham, CEO at Epilepsy Society, states, “If a person breaks their nose, arm, or leg as a result of a seizure, the injury will be repaired for free on the NHS. But if they break their teeth – and many with epilepsy do – they are expected to foot the bill themselves or go without their teeth.”
Half of those who have suffered dental injuries from an epileptic seizure, such as broken or chipped teeth, have not had them repaired due to the steep cost of treatment, according to the Epilepsy Society
Epilepsy affects 600,000 people in the UK, and seizures can be triggered by various factors, such as imbalances in nerve-signaling chemicals and brain damage. While there are medications available to reduce the number of seizures, approximately 200,000 individuals still experience uncontrolled seizures, which often result in additional injuries when they fall.
Currently, the NHS does not provide exemptions for dental treatment. Although there are payment exemptions for low-income individuals, a survey by the Epilepsy Society found that three-quarters of people with epilepsy do not qualify.
Clare Pelham states, “Teeth are not an optional cosmetic accessory. When people in the UK with uncontrolled seizures collapse without warning, the NHS should be there to pick up the literal pieces.”
One affected individual, Toby O’Neill, expresses his frustration at having to pay for repairs to his damaged teeth, which could cost thousands of pounds. He believes it is unfair since he has no control over his seizures.
Toby says, “My teeth are ruined. I don’t want my confidence to be ruined, too. I won’t smile around people at the moment as I’m scared.”
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
