Paying by Cash, Card or GoFundMe?
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- Published: Tuesday, 11 November 2025 11:48
- Written by Peter Ingle
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With the dental access crisis continuing, and many dentists reducing their NHS hours, more of the public are being faced with a choice of private care, or no care. Social media and online platforms have provided a new option for funding dental care with crowdfunding, and its use to cover dental costs is increasing.
The Mirror has as part of its Dentists for all Campaign, run a story on the increase in appeals on the popular crowdfunding site GoFundMe, which have more than doubled in recent years.
The Mirror has already reported on cases including DIY extractions and those who are going into debt to travel abroad for private treatment. However, for many desperate patients living in pain and without access to the funds to go private, crowdfunding may offer a lifeline.
GoFundMe data showed the number of crowdfunding appeals for dentistry increasing from 627 launches in 2019, to 1,297 in 2024.
The Mirror’s examples included a 40-year-old chef from Blackpool, who in his appeal said: “For a long time now I have been struggling with the way I look with the loss of most of my teeth. It’s affected all parts of my life and I cannot cope like this anymore. I can’t find a NHS dentist, I do work but don’t have thousands to spare to get new teeth. This seems to be my final hope.”
Another appeal had been launched by a mother for her 29 year old son who was in pain and having secured an NHS emergency appointment, was advised that while one extraction could be done by the service, that he needed a clearance.
BDA Chair Eddie Crouch was quoted, saying: “Before the NHS much of our healthcare was dependent on charities. The fundraising might be digital, but this is another step back to the Victorian era.”
A further crowdfund appeal was set up by event manager Alex Boot to help his wife Bluebelle. Bluebelle, 33, from Street in Somerset, is a singer-songwriter but has had to stop singing due to her dental pain.
Alex said: “For the past year, Bluebelle has been suffering with serious dental problems that have left her in constant pain. Eating, sleeping, and even speaking has become difficult – let alone singing. She’s now at a critical point where major dental surgery is the only option left to relieve the pain and give her a chance to get back to doing what she loves most: making music.
He posted annotated radiographs from a recent consultation as well as a treatment plan. This included bone grafting and reconstruction with implants, and carried a cost of £12,000.
Alex explained: "This isn’t cosmetic. This is about ending daily pain, restoring dignity, and giving Bluebelle a future where she can speak, eat, and perform again."
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