A 67-year-old nurse claims she was forced into retirement after enduring more than a year of severe pain from full dental implants. Alison France, who worked for two decades at Wrexham Maelor Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit, said the ￡18,000 procedure at 21D Dental Clinic in Birchwood, Warrington, left her in “18 months of absolute hell.”
After repeated visits failed to resolve the issue, Alison spent an additional ￡13,000 on permanent dentures at another clinic. She had planned to return to work under the NHS ‘retire and return’ scheme, but said the pain and its impact on her mental health prevented her from resuming her role.
Alison originally intended to replace a single tooth but opted for full implants after a consultation with 21D, a nationwide chain. She described the surgery as shocking, saying it involved cutting into her gums and bone to fit dentures permanently screwed into her mouth.
“The day I had it done, my granddaughter was born, and I’ve not been able to enjoy her being here at all,” Alison said. She added that she relied on strong painkillers and antidepressants to cope with constant discomfort.
Despite Alison’s complaints, 21D maintains that her implants met the clinic’s “high clinical standards.” In a February 2025 letter, the clinic suggested her dissatisfaction was “subjective” and proposed treatment by a different clinical team.
An NHS maxillofacial doctor’s letter from September 2025 confirmed Alison experienced immediate and severe pain. Her new surgeon removed the original dentures and provided temporary ones, which brought some relief. The letter noted “extensive bone loss,” “excruciatingly tender” facial muscles, and implants placed close to the sinus floor.
Alison’s husband, David, also took early retirement, saying he witnessed her distress daily. “I saw her smiling for the first time in months after the new dentures were put in,” he said.
Alison reported the issue to the General Dental Council’s Dental Complaints Service, which declined to take action, citing the need for further information and a second opinion. Her local MP, Andrew Ranger, has supported her case and urged the clinic and DCS to address her complaints.
A 21D spokesperson said the clinic prioritizes eliminating disease and stabilizing biological function in patients, comparing the procedure to a hip replacement in terms of prosthetic transition. They added that patients are only signed off once all clinical parameters are met.
Alison said she chose to remain in the UK for her procedure rather than travel abroad, believing local care would be safer. She described the ordeal as life-changing, saying the pain prevented her from working and enjoying time with her family.