Six-year-old Madina Faqirzai has been suffering from black teeth and severe caries due to the inability to find a local dentist.
Her father, Haseebullah, has consistently attempted to register Madina and her 9-year-old sister Yusana with a dentist in Wakefield. Both girls have never received dental care.
Speaking to ITV news, Haseebullah said, “I was registered about 15 years ago when I was living in Sheffield. When I moved and I tried to register here I couldn't get anything.
“I went to about six of them near Wakefield town centre. The places I couldn't reach like Normanton or Pontefract, I rang them from Google, and they all said we can't get registration.”
One practice in the area told him they already had a 5-year waiting list.
Haseebullah attempted to look further afield in Dewsbury and Barnsley but was still unsuccessful.
The Faqirzai family’s case was recently raised at Prime Minister's Questions, by their MP, Simon Lightwood.
Simon asked what action would be taken about the "national dental emergency". Rishi Sunak, the prime minister, said he would write to Simon regarding the case.
Haseebullah said, “I don't think [the government is helping enough].
"I've paid money for health, and I don't get any treatment. I feel sad, I feel worried about it, I feel I can't do any other things [to help].
"I feel quite hopeless. I hope all the community gets registered, and I hope every child can get a dentist and not have an issue like my daughter has.”
Nadia Alani, principal dentist at Tovey Little Dental Care in Wakefield, will now be opening her practice on Saturdays. She believes the increased hours will help reduce the pressure on the local service.
Nadia commented, “The problem has been going on for longer than we realise. I think there has been a gap between dentists leaving the profession and the amount of new graduates. Now we're noticing that gap wider than ever."