Study finds 39% of Brits cannot afford to visit the dentist, amid the cost-of-living crisis

As the UK tackles the ongoing cost of living crisis, an increasing number of patients cannot afford to see their dentist. Whilst oral hygiene is perhaps not the first thing that comes to mind when considering the rising cost of living, the current state of the economy has done nothing but worsen many of the problems the dental industry first faced sparked by the pandemic.

The problem of accessibility

Perhaps a major contributor to this problem is the lack of accessibility to dental care. A BBC survey recently showed that 9 out of 10 dental practices are not accepting new adult patients. Because of this, some patients have resorted to extreme measures, and have opted for ‘DIY dentistry’ kits, which has involved patients removing their own teeth with pliers, as a result of not being able to afford private dental care.

Not only is this incredibly dangerous, but it also has the potential to further damage the patient’s oral health, whereby they may exacerbate their problems and ultimately require more extensive dental care. This could have detrimental effects on their health, happiness, and finances.

The cost of health

As well as avoiding dental treatment, many individuals are not attending their regular check-ups, in the hope that they can avoid the cost of treatment. Similarly, many only seek medical help once their condition has become debilitating, whereby this time the damage is often irreparable.

The irony in this is that by foregoing regular check-ups, they are actually compounding the problem; patients can often avoid major oral surgery down the line if their problems are caught early and then treated relatively easily.

However, the cost-of-living crisis, it seems, has instilled a new level of fear in patients, where dental treatment has evolved into a luxury, rather than a public health necessity – this, obviously, should not be the case at all.

Avoiding a major health crisis

If patients take good, regular care of their teeth and attend regular dental check-ups, they will be able to avoid major oral health issues down the line and will not need to undergo expensive treatments. In other words, in tackling the rising cost of living, there should perhaps be a focus on preventative measures as the best way to avoid any problems when it comes to problems with oral health – that would include brushing twice a day with a fluoride-based paste, and reducing dietary sugar intake, for example.

However, other effective remedies are also available to individuals amidst the cost of living crisis; group dental insurance, for example, is an efficient way to ensure that all of employees’ dental needs are covered to protect their dental and financial health, giving them peace of mind in financially uncertain times.

Everyone should have access to affordable dental care

We are living in turbulent times, due to the devastating effects of the pandemic, and now the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Ultimately, dental and oral hygiene can be safeguarded if there are efficient measures in place for a patient, whether that be small, incremental changes in behaviour, or having an effective dental insurance plan in place.

Author Profile

Adam Regan

Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 3 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com