Fewer People Visiting Dentist In North Essex
A new poll has revealed that fewer people are visiting the dentist in North Essex; figures show that there were 6,000 fewer dental visits in the years leading up to March 2013 compared to figures leading up to March 2006.
The decrease in the number of dental visits has been attributed to costs, which have increased year on year in England for several years. Dentists have warned that putting off dental treatment will only serve to increase costs in the future; however, many people do not adhere to the advice to have a dental check-up every 6 months.
A spokesman for NHS England said that the decrease in numbers may also be due to the fact that patients may be choosing non-NHS providers for their dental care, but there are many people who choose not to see their dentist on a regular basis.
There is concern from some people that the cost of dental care is putting patients off; dental care is free of charge for children, pregnant women and those receiving certain benefits, but for others, dental bills can be expensive and some people are putt off going for a check-up because they do not want to be told that they need treatment, which may be unaffordable.
The British Dental Association has warned that cutting costs in the short-term by avoiding routine appointments will increase expenditure in the long-term, as complex courses of treatment are much more expensive than check-ups, which currently cost £18.
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