Updated

The Brits aren't exactly known for having the best of teeth.

But a shortage of state dentists across England is forcing some to take oral hygiene into their own hands, even extracting their own teeth, according to a study released Monday.

Others are resorting to superglue to stick crowns back on, rather than paying for private treatment, French news agency AFP reports.

One person spoke of carrying out 14 separate extractions on himself with pliers.

Click here to read the AFP story

The study reported that 78 percent of private patients said they were there because they could not find a National Health Service dentist.

Six percent of patients said they had resorted to self-treatment, according to the survey of 5,000 patients in England, which found that one in five had decided against dental work because of the cost.