Dentist sent patient to ATM to pay for treatment during tooth operation

When David Baxter arrived for an emergency appointment at the dentist, he expected his painful nightmare would soon be over.

But the 58-year-old teacher was told after being injected with anaesthetic that the offending wisdom tooth would not be removed until he had paid for the treatment in full.

Having already withdrawn his daily maximum from the cashpoint, and with only £30 in his wallet, he assured the receptionist that he would return first thing the following day with the extra £30.



But with his face numb from the forehead down, he was forced to leave the dentist's surgery to return home for another cash card.

After supplying the money, the father of three from Hornchurch, Essex, said he had to spend a further 40 minutes in the waiting room before the dentist would see him again - by which time the anaesthetic was beginning to wear off.

Dentist Dr Tariq Mushtaq said he had made it clear that Mr Baxter must be able to pay in full before he started working on him. 'We asked him if he could pay and he said yes. We don't do any treatment until patients are aware of the cost.'