- Epilepsy patients can suffer injuries such as a broken tooth due to a seizure.
- Approximately half do not repair them due to the high cost of dental treatment.
The NHS must provide free dental repairs to people who damage their teeth as a result of epileptic seizures, charity campaigners have urged.
According to the Epilepsy Society, half of those who have suffered dental injuries from an epileptic seizure, such as broken or chipped teeth, have not been repaired due to the high cost of treatment.
The British charity added that many patients are permanently missing teeth as a result.
“If a person breaks their nose, arm or leg as a result of a seizure, the injury will be repaired free of charge on the NHS,” says Clare Pelham, chief executive of the Epilepsy Society.
“But if they break their teeth (and many with epilepsy do) they are expected to foot the bill themselves or get by without teeth.
According to the Epilepsy Society, half of those who have suffered dental injuries from an epileptic seizure, such as broken or chipped teeth, have not been repaired due to the high cost of treatment.
“We all know the NHS is struggling, but the financial burden should not fall on people who are already dealing with a debilitating disability.”
Epilepsy, in which sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain cause seizures or seizures, affects 600,000 people in the UK. These can be due to a number of factors, including an imbalance of nerve signaling chemicals in cells, strokes, and brain damage. There are several medications, known as antiepileptics, that can help reduce the number of seizures experienced by people with epilepsy.
However, around 200,000 people experience uncontrolled seizures (where medications cannot stop the seizures), which can often lead to further injury when patients fall.
Currently, the NHS does not have medical exemptions for dental treatment. While it has fee waivers for people with low incomes, a survey by the Epilepsy Society found that three-quarters of people with the condition were not eligible.
“Teeth are not an optional cosmetic accessory,” adds Clare Pelham. “When people in the UK with uncontrolled seizures fall to the ground without warning, the NHS should be there to pick up the pieces, literally.”
Toby O’Neill, 26, from Hampshire, lost both front teeth in his upper jaw, knocked out teeth on both sides of his mouth and lost fillings due to his seizures.
The Tesco worker says it is unfair that he has to pay for repairs that could cost thousands of pounds.
“I’m angry that I’m being forced to pay for repairs to my damaged teeth that I have no control over,” he explains.
‘My teeth are ruined. I don’t want my confidence to be ruined too. I won’t smile in front of people right now because I’m afraid.’
