Cost is the biggest barrier to dental patients in the US, survey reveals

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A new survey has revealed that cost is the biggest barrier to dental patients in the US.

Many people may assume that patients swerve regular appointments due to fear of the dentist or struggling to find time to get to the dental office. However, a new healthcare survey suggests that expense is the most common reason dental patients miss out on regular checks.

According to research published in Health Affairs, 13 percent of working adults miss out on regular dental appointments as a result of cost. The figure rises to 25 percent for low income adults. The survey found that cost was much more likely to be the reason for skipping appointments than dental fear.

Author of the study, Marko Vujicic explained that the cost of dental treatment is simply not affordable for many people who don’t receive dental benefits as part of their employment package. Even if patients can afford routine check-ups, they may be reluctant to attend them in case they’re told that they need further treatment, such as root canal therapy, which can cost hundreds of dollars.

The worry is that missing regular appointments increases your risk of developing dental diseases, which are linked to an elevated risk of general health problems. Studies have now linked gum disease to an increased risk of life-threatening illnesses, including stroke, heart disease, diabetes and dementia.

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