‘I pulled my teeth out with pliers’ – Cork man forced to take drastic measures after huge dental bills
A CORK man has been forced to take drastic measures after being told it would cost hundreds for much needed dental surgery.
John Molloy has shared the horrific and life altering situation he has been faced with.
John revealed on air that he is currently living in chronic pain and is "petrified" that he will die from blood poisoning.
John noted that he will be forced to remove more of his teeth with his pliers unless he gets help with his dental costs, which are amounting to €900.
John is now in need of surgery in order to have his top teeth removed but can't afford to pay.
He told Cork's 96FM's Opinion Line with PJ Coogan: "I have to get my top teeth, what I have left, surgically removed.
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"I went to a dentist yesterday in pain and told I have to get the teeth surgically removed.
"They referred me to the CUH, they sent me a letter stating that they can't taking me on the medical card but with that letter there was an application form looking for my PPS number and my medical card number and I didn't bother filling it in."
When asked what exactly was the issue with his teeth, John explained that he has to get the remaining teeth he has removed due to the severe pain he is in daily.
He said: "Nobody will take me because I'm a medical card patient.
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"I can't afford to pay for my teeth to be removed. I literally had to pull a tooth out myself with a pliers.
"I'm dying in pain, I'm afraid in case I collapse and it's not fair on my partner."
John claims because he is not a private patient, he can't afford the hefty bills it would cost for the surgery.
Cork University Hospital has asked separately for his medical card number and after discussing his concern over the phone, he was adamant that the information should already be stored by the hospital.
He said: "I actually have a pliers here in my hand and another tooth that's loose.
"They're leaving me to my own devices, I could get blood poisoning from this, I could die from this."
After being told it was not covered by his medical card, it would cost John between €800 and €900 to have the surgery out of pocket - which he says he can't afford due to relying on social welfare payments.
John has now taken out one tooth with a pliers due to the pain and is tempted to remove a second.
He continued: "Between rent, shopping and feeding my dog, I'd be lucky if I have €10 at the end of the week.
"If I put that tenner away every week, it'll take me two years to get that money together."