Cost of living bites, as 15% of adults avoid going to the dentist
The cost of living is taking its toll on dental patients, as 15% of adults avoid going to the dentist due to financial worries.
A recent study by Healthwatch revealed that 15% of adults admitted to avoiding seeing a dentist in December 2022 because they were worried about the cost of treatment. This represents a 3% increase since October 2022.
The survey also showed that patients were missing appointments due to additional costs, including travel (11%). Over 10% of people didn’t try to make an appointment with a dentist because of the cost of using the Internet or making a call. The research confirms that more people are worried about money, with numbers increasing significantly between October and December 2022.
Healthwatch data indicated that fewer people are accepting prescriptions because they can’t afford to pay for them. One in ten admitted to going without regular prescription medications because of the cost. This figure increased from 7% in October.
Healthwatch national director, Louise Ansari, said that it was evident that the cost of living is impacting people’s health and their ability to access health and well-being services, including dentistry. It is very worrying, she explained, that people are going without prescription medication and avoiding making appointments with dentists because they are concerned about the cost of accessing treatments.
Ms Ansari added that, “The cost of living should never be a barrier to healthcare” and called for “urgent joint action” from the government and healthcare service providers.
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