‘NHS dentists don’t take my phobia seriously’ says man so fearful of a check up he has let his teeth ‘crumble away’

A man with a dentist phobia so severe he allowed most of his teeth to “crumble away” has now sought treatment abroad as he feels the NHS do not take his fear seriously.

Lajos Csendes, 31, a florist from Hungary now living in Hackney, London, has struggled with weak teeth since his teens, often breaking them with his fingers or by biting into bread.

His phobia has repeatedly stopped him going to the dentist – the longest period from age 11 to 18 – and the disregard from NHS dentists about his fear when he has been stopped him from seeking further treatment, so he now only has front and wisdom teeth.

Dentists believe more frequent visits could have prevented his crumbling teeth but genetics also play a part, as his sister has the same issue.

In 2024, a severe tooth infection entered his bloodstream and spread toward his heart, pushing him to go to a specialist clinic in Hungary which deals specifically with patients with a dental phobia.

There, he learned he needs a £20,000 to £25,000 procedure to restore both his teeth and facial bones – which he hopes will improve his confidence and enable him to smile without fear.

Lajos told PA Real Life: “I was frustrated with the dentists… I’m not the only one who feels this fear about dentists… they thought I was joking when I said I have this fear.

“It makes me have nightmares… I hope people realise it really affects me and is a serious issue.

“I’ve been ashamed of who I am – over the years I have stood up to the mirror and tried to learn to smile in a way that you cannot really see my teeth.

“Finding a good relationship was always a struggle for me… I know people are judging… and some are afraid to interact with me.”

Lajos has been terrified of the dentist his entire life, and as a child he would even bite his dentist.

Since age 15, his teeth have been decaying and “literally crumbling away” – now he has lost “80% of (his) teeth”.

He explained: “So when I was younger, basically I could break down my teeth with my fingers or with my nails, or even if I just had a bite of bread or an apple.

“Now I have my wisdom teeth in the back, and my front teeth, but basically nothing in between.”

Since his teenage years, he has struggled to eat anything “crunchy or chewy” and has taught himself to hide his smile.

Over the years, dental check-ups became almost impossible – every time he tried to attend an appointment, he found himself unable to step into the building.

“I struggle with the smell, the noises, the clean white building,” Lajos added.

“It all just triggers me… I feel sick, I shake and it’s just so scary for me.”

According to NHS England, the level of anxiety an individual experiences in relation to dental treatment is likely to vary from person to person, and according to the treatment performed.

They also state the term phobia is reserved for an anxiety disorder comprising a marked and specific fear that is deemed excessive or unreasonable, causing situations to be “avoided where possible”.

To “cope with the stress” of his dental issues, Lajos has smoked around three cigarettes a day for several years, despite knowing it would worsen his condition.

In 2023, he claims an NHS dentist, who he does not wish to name, did not believe his fear, making him even more hesitant to seek help.

“They thought I was joking about my phobia,” he said.

Dentists have told Lajos they believe more frequent appointments could have helped prevent his crumbling teeth but genetics are also a factor.

“I look after my teeth and they know this, but they haven’t told me the name of a specific condition,” he added.

In 2024, Lajos, while competing in a florist competition, thought he was having a heart attack, only to discover that an infection from his teeth had entered his bloodstream and spread towards his heart.

A few weeks later, he visited a specialist clinic in Hungary for patients with a phobia of the dentist, where he finally sat through an appointment.

He said: “It didn’t even look like a dentist, it was so modern, and the dentist explained everything to me…I felt so relaxed.”

An X-ray revealed that the bones in his face had also begun to deteriorate, and dentists said the process of restoring his teeth and facial structure would take around two-and-a-half years.

“They plan to take my teeth roots out and then open up the part of my face, above my mouth, and screw in metal bolts into my upper and lower jaw to bring my jaw line forward,” Lajos explained.

“They’d then put ceramic teeth in.”

He initially considered undergoing surgery through the NHS but found the idea of visiting a traditional dentist too overwhelming.

Instead, he has chosen to have the treatment in Hungary.

The procedure will cost between £20,000 to £25,000, so Lajos has set up a GoFundMe to raise the funds.

Many people have asked why he isn’t having the work done in Turkey but he insists he is “not interested” in perfect white teeth – he just wants a “functional mouth”.

Lajos believes that once the treatment is complete, his life will be “transformed”.

He said: “I think the procedure will improve my confidence.

“I’ll be able to feel normal again and not have to worry about my smile.”

To donate to Lajos’ GoFundMe, visit: gofundme.com/f/akm66a-for-the-perfect-smile.