Four in ten people struggling to afford dental care
Statistics have shown that almost forty percent of people are struggling to afford dental care.
Research carried out by Simplyhealth also showed that one in five people are using credit cards to pay for dental treatment, which may mean that they end up paying higher costs as a result of interest charges. The rising cost of living and increased NHS dental charges in England have been highlighted as the main reasons behind the alarming figures.
The British Dental Association says that the figures are worrying and has urged people to visit their dentist on a regular basis; according to representatives, putting off routine treatment is false economy because check-ups and basic treatments are much cheaper than complex treatments, which may be required further down the line. Investing in dental care in the short-term will help to reduce the risk of oral health issues in the long-term and this will reduce costs.
NHS dental care is considerably cheaper than private dental care but the report by Simplyhealth shows that many people have had problems registering with an NHS dentist and have been forced to see a private dentist as a result of this; private fees can run into the thousands and most people simply do not have that kind of money.
Research shows that people are viewing dental treatment as an unaffordable luxury, as they struggle to keep on top of bills, rent or mortgage payments and the cost of living. Dentists are eager to stress that dental care should not be a luxury; oral health is very important and studies have shown that poor oral health can contribute to serious health issues including an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and strokes.
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