A BRIT who travelled to war-torn Ukraine to go to the dentist said it was cheaper than getting his teeth fixed in the UK.
Richard Howe, 58, tried to book an appointment in Ely, Cambridgeshire, but ended up having dental treatment in Kyiv.
Richard was left in agony last month when he got an abscess that led to severe toothache.
But he couldn’t get treatment due to the UK’s dental crisis.
Growing numbers of dentists are quitting the NHS and nine in 10 clinics will not take new patients.
And dental surgeries in his hometown told him he would have to pay nearly £1,000 for private treatment.
Richard decided to travel 1,500 miles with a flight to Lublin in Poland before a 13-hour train trip to Kyiv, which is regularly hit by Russian rockets.
His dangerous voyage saw him avoid air raid sirens and anti-tank defences in the Ukrainian capital.
“So, I got one in Ukraine, straight away, for a fraction of the cost. It just shows how much of a mess NHS dental care is now.”
He travelled 1,500 miles with a flight to Lublin in Poland before a 13-hour train trip to Kyiv, which is regularly hit by Russian rockets.
The ex-motor industry executive paid £127 for his return flights and paid £54 for his train trips.
He had his abscess drained and extra work, including three root canals and a filling, for £220.
The ex-motor industry executive lived in the Ukrainian capital for 12 years and owns a house there.
Richard phoned the Clinic of Modern Dentistry, his old practice, and was told he could be seen immediately.
But he had to abide by an 11pm to 5am curfew, adding: “There were anti-tank defences lined across the streets.
“Air sirens went off two to three times a day but the locals are pretty used to it by now, so were quite calm.
“It’s crazy that we’ve invited Ukrainians to take refuge in the UK but if they have a tooth problem, they have zero chance of being
seen by an NHS dentist.
“But over there, anyone can walk in off the street and be seen straight away and the country is a war zone.”
Despite Richard's venture there are still safer ways you could get free or cheap dental treatment.
The Foreign Office's official advice tells Brits they should avoid all travel to any part of Ukraine and warn there is still a "real risk to life".
The FCDO said: "We continue to advise British nationals against all travel to Ukraine, whether in an official or unofficial capacity.
"The Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing, with attacks against a number of major cities, including Kyiv.
"Several towns and cities in southern and eastern Ukraine are temporarily under Russian control. There is a real risk to life."
