A student has revealed how he was ‘forced’ to use vital funds given by his family on private dental work as NHS clinics near him were ‘too full’.
Before Deacon Galloway set off for university, his grandparents handed him a gift.
They had been saving for a while in order to give him £2,100.
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The money was going to be put towards educational tools, such as books, to aid the 19-year-old in his upcoming studies.
But then, he started to notice an intense pain whenever eating and drinking cold drinks, along with visible signs of decay in one of his teeth.
Seeking help, he tried to find an NHS dentist; but claims the nearest available one, however, was over 60 miles away and so he had to fork out for a private one.
Deacon was left needing to shell out over £800 on the initial consultation and subsequent work.
As he didn’t have any other savings, he had to begrudgingly use the money his grandparents had worked hard to save for him.
“I felt disappointed I had to use the money for dentistry,” the student, from Manchester, told Need To Know.
“The expense meant I was unable to buy new equipment to help me with my dysgraphia.
“And so I’ve had to work much harder at university to get past my learning disability.
“I feel lucky that, by chance, I had the money from my family to be able to afford vital dental work.
“But then I feel let down and annoyed knowing there are hundreds like me who can’t get an NHS dentist appointment – and can’t afford private care.”
Deacon visited a private dentist about his pain in August 2025.
He had attempted to sign up to an NHS dentist, though he alleges the nearest one with availability was in Leeds.
While there was one in his hometown, and some much closer, none were able to accept new patients.
He said: “I discovered the price after the first appointment and was shocked.
“I had no choice, though, as I couldn’t ignore it.
“I never really realised how bad NHS dentistry had gotten.
“I was so angry it had gotten to this state.”
Deacon forked out the aforementioned £800 – the cheapest option – for two fillings, two replacement fillings and cleaning.
Since, at the time, he was under 19 and in full-time education, this would’ve been completely free on the NHS.
Deacon added: “It isn’t right that, in a country like ours, people are unable to access this vital medical service.
“There needs to be more investment into the NHS.
“It’s a national health service and so we shouldn’t be relying on private contractors to deliver what should be public free access healthcare.”
Jam Press has contacted NHS Dental Services for comment.
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