Decay in nation's dental health

A lack of affordable dental care could have a severe effect on the future state of Britain's teeth, according to a recent survey into the oral health of the nation carried out by healthcare provider Simplyhealth.

Just half of the population is currently under the care of an NHS dentist, with a further 39% claiming they have struggled to find one, with many giving up on the search all together. Simplyhealth's Annual Dental Survey also found that one in ten of the 1,000 adults surveyed admitted to not having a dentist at all, whilst 35% revealed that putting off visiting the dentist has had an adverse impact on their oral health. This neglect resulting in tooth loss, abscesses and the need for extreme dental procedures.

One in 100 men has never visited a dentist before, compared with just one in 300 women. These statistics could be set to rise with forthcoming generations, with financial concerns and a lack of NHS dentistry now impacting not only the oral health of the nation's working population, but that of their children too. Shockingly, one in 30 parents admitted their children have never visited a dentist, citing prohibitive cost as the main reason for putting off the trip.

In fact, 43% of those surveyed have put off visiting the dentist due to worries over cost. This figure is higher amongst those in their late twenties and early thirties (53%). Over a third of the population (39%) has been forced to resort to taking on credit card debt in order to pay for dental treatment costing over £50.

Michael Thomas, practicing dentist commented: "It is clear from these results that greater focus needs to be placed on the importance of maintaining a good level of dental health. Failure to look after your teeth can have an impact not just on your oral health, but that of your entire body, and in some cases can result in problems requiring severe treatment that could have been avoidable with regular check-ups."

James Glover, spokesperson for Simplyhealth who carried out the research as part of its Annual Dental Survey, says: "The results of this year's survey clearly demonstrate the struggle people are facing to find affordable dental care. Whether someone is able to access an NHS dentist or not, I would encourage people to explore affordable alternative options such as a dental plan or cash plan from Simplyhealth, to avoid the pain and inconvenience of unnecessary dental procedures."

Simplyhealth provides cover for dental check-ups, treatment and emergencies through its Simply Cash Plan and Simply Dental Plan. Perfect for both NHS and private access with claims paid usually within a few days.