Hi my name is Josh, I am 30 years old and a fully qualified chef by trade.

My passion is cooking, the hospitality industry and food!

I am writing this to ask for help with cost for dental care so I am eligible to join the British Army.

I went to the army recruitment centre at the start of December 2024.

I passed my assessment but I got deferred due to the state of my dental health.

This means that until I am to get my teeth fixed I cannot join or start any of the training.

The army themselves can't help with the costs and there are no NHS dentists taking on at the moment. I have been chasing my own tail for a month, ringing dentist after dentist, NHS and private. I rang 111 as well as the puttingthingsright service and had phone calls with several individuals who have just sent me around in circles.

Therefore I am asking for your help, anyone's help please?

I am currently unemployed, lost job end of November and I can't afford private dental care and I am not eligible for any payment plans.

I have wanted to join the army for several months now, for a few reasons.

1. I want to make my mum proud, my family proud and my son Logan proud of me.

2. I want to help people, I want to get out there and give humanitarian aid, drop off supplies, help during natural disasters, build and fight for people.

3. I want to better myself as a person, become more disciplined, further my qualifications and skills.

There just some of the reasons why I really want to join the British army and I cannot do this without getting the dental care I need to be eligible to start my training.

I'm ashamed of my teeth and how much work actually has to be done. I didn't look after them when I was younger and I really regret that.

I managed to scrape together enough for a private check up just before Christmas and have been told I need 12 extractions, 8 are just the roots. As well as 2 fillings and then some partial dentures.

I really want this, I really want to start my training and I cannot until this is sorted so please if anyone can help, I would be greatly appreciated.

I'm not getting any younger and want to make sure I do something with the rest of my life and be able to provide for my son when he's older from this career.

I will also once I get the treatment and start in the army, repay it forward.

Tha k you for reading and thanks in advance to any and all those that can help

Josh