I understand they are available on the NHS for medical reasons.I have had several teeth extracted following an abscess by dentists who did not believe in antibiotics.Is this a valid medical reason and who makes the decision? Any advice appreciated.
You need to start by finding an nhs facility that does implants....is there a dental hospital near you? They will know the process and the criteria. Were the dentists who took the teeth out nhs dentists? If so you might have a malpractice argument.
Dental implants are normallly only funded under the NHS for 'high priorty' groups of patients who:
a) Have had neck & neck cancer
b) Have a congenital abnormality
c) Have suffered severe trauma eg RTA
Even for these groups of patients, funding is not 'guaranteed'. Sadly, for the vast majority, it is fair to say that dental implants are not available under NHS regulations.