I think it varies with dentists. I had an infection the other week, and unfortunately couldn’t get registered with a new NHS dentist (because of covid). So I had to go back to the very nice one I saw nearby before lockdown who is private. Really, it didn’t cost that much more than a capped NHS price.
Ultimately unless an emergency, dentistry is patient-led...so I guess she doesn’t prioritise or see her teeth as unsightly? She’d rather spend her influenza money on plastic plants, and a cushion for her {insert body part/corner of the house here}, or another bed for her darhling gurl BonBon. It’s not her fault, she must be so overwhelmed with her hard life chasing tea, and her colourful life as TateoB!