Reconstructive dentistry to smile bright again!

My name is Angeline Bell, I am a West End Performer, currently in Matilda the Musical and previously in other shows such as Mary Poppins and Aladdin. I am also a teacher at one of the UK’s top musical theatre and dance colleges.

On the 17th of April, I suffered an extremely traumatic accident whilst cycling home on my electric Brompton bicycle. The precise details of the accident are still unknown. I’ve experienced dissociative amnesia, due to the physical trauma and have no recollection of the accident. AlI I remember is the early part of my evening, and then waking up in hospital strapped to a trauma board. Paramedics informed me that I had been knocked unconscious.

 

My Apple watch detected I had fallen, and called for an ambulance to my location, as well as sending an S.O.S. message to my son and my partner - what a bloody miracle! As always I was wearing my leopard print helmet which along with my Apple Watch, saved my life.

I sustained serious injuries to my face; several facial fractures, including a broken upper jaw/palate, knocked out three front teeth at the top from the roots, and I have fractured three other teeth at the front, one of which will have to be removed as it is wobbly, as it has been knocked at the root and is damaged beyond repair.

 

I have had to wait for my palate and fractures to heal before having this removed. In addition, I cut my lip open requiring several stitches externally and internally and suffered a small brain haemorrhage. I sustained some other minor scrapes and bruises to my hands and my body.

 

Thankfully, none of these injuries are life-threatening (the brain haemorrhage was managed and was quickly under control) and I have made good progress in terms of my recovery so far. However, the injuries to my face and losing my teeth is of course life changing. The situation is that the NHS don’t really provide suitable help to fix teeth, despite this being an accident. I have a temporary solution - dentures, I even had to pay NHS fees for these, but they were an unsuitable fit, so I had to then have some private ones made so that I can at least sing and talk in the meantime. Also, I’m not sure if the wider public are aware, but working in the West End, although we are contracted to a show, we are actually self-employed, and we have limited sick and injury days, usually around 28 days.

 

My company have been generous in allowing me time off and supporting my return when I am fit and ready, but financially shows are not obliged to continue to pay their performers when their sick and injury days are used up. So, being self-employed and having a long-term injury/illness means you don’t get paid. In this industry, looks count for a lot. I have explained to doctors and dentists that I cannot work without teeth, and I am heartbroken that there is no help for me to get a permanent solution in this situation. I even pay extra on my insurance premium with Equity (the performing arts and entertainment trade union) - specifically for accidents…and the most they pay out for dental care is £500.

 

I have been quoted more than £12,000 for the dental treatment I need. This will cover a bone graft, permanent dental implants, crowns as well as the urgent surgery that I needed shortly following the accident. I am asking for help towards this as I’ve got no other choice. I am a hard worker, and I always work two full time jobs - teaching and performing. I have no savings, have struggled as a single parent, and I have no family inheritance to fall back on. My mum died suddenly in November 2022, and I am still dealing with the emotional turmoil of that as well as this new predicament that I find myself in. I can’t begin to tell you how devastating it is to have to look at myself every day in the mirror with no front teeth. It feels like a nightmare that I just can’t wake up from, but at the same time I still must try and be positive that things aren’t worse.

I know times are tough for most people right now but would be so grateful for any help or donation, no matter how small - even just sharing my story.

Thank you so much for reading!

Angie xxxx

Click here to see my journey/contact on Instagram