Cost is a barrier for a third of British dental patients, new poll reveals
A new poll has revealed that a third of British adults put off going to the dentist due to cost.
Research conducted by Hudgell Solicitors suggested that around 33% of adults haven’t been to the dentist in the last two years, and a third of adults cite cost as a reason for delaying, cancelling or failing to make appointments. One in ten adults said they hadn’t been to the dentist for at least ten years.
Prices for NHS dental treatment have increased year on year in England since 2014, and the cost of a basic band 1 treatment is now £22.70. Band 2 treatments, which include fillings and tooth extractions, cost £62.10, and band 3 treatments, which include crowning a tooth, cost £269.30. Fees are typically higher in England than in Scotland and Wales.
The results of the survey will cause concern among dental professionals, as check-ups are recommended at least once a year. Research carried out by the Oral Health Foundation suggests that going to the dentist on a regular basis can decrease the risk of gum disease and decay by up to 60 percent. Routine checks also include oral cancer detection. Mouth cancer is a form of cancer that has become increasingly prevalent in the UK in the last decade.
Many people may think that they can save money by avoiding making dental appointments, but if you don’t attend routine check-ups, the risk of developing conditions that are more complex and therefore more expensive to treat, increases. By keeping up to date with dental appointments, you could actually end up saving a lot of money.
If you’re struggling to afford NHS dental treatment, services are available free of charge for children and adults who receive certain benefits, and your practice reception team will be able to provide more information about eligibility for free treatment.
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