DT News - UK - Britons neglect oral health for financial reasons

Dental Tribune International

Fri. 22 February 2013

save

RUGBY – Three in four British citizens avoid visits to the dentist because of cost, a survey recently conducted by the British Dental Health Foundation has found. The figures have worsened significantly compared with 2009 statistics.

When asked about the reasons they avoided dental check-ups, 75 per cent of the respondents in the British Dental Health Foundation survey listed cost, 19 per cent fear and 6 per cent access. In comparison, in the 2009 Adult Dental Health Survey (published in March 2011) just over a quarter (26 per cent) of adults said that cost influenced the type of dental treatment they chose, and one in five (19 per cent) said that they had in the past delayed treatment for financial reasons.

According to Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, dental care is a crucial luxury. “While budgets are feeling the squeeze, there is a very good reason that looking after your oral health should not be cut back. You may think you’re saving yourself some pennies in the short term, but the cost of neglecting your oral health is even higher.”

To post a reply please login or register

Britons endanger oral health through poor choices at breakfast

RUGBY, UK: Breakfast is quickly becoming the unhealthiest meal of the day in Britain, the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) has suggested. Although ...

Survey finds Britons quit smoking for health benefits, not cost

RUGBY, UK: According to British health experts, around 350,000 people in the UK are expected to quit smoking in 2019, putting smoking rates at their lowest ...

Study shows awareness of poor oral health in identifying child neglect is lacking

LONDON, UK: According to researchers at the University of Southampton in the UK, dental neglect is a marker of child neglect. In a new study, the ...

Millions of Brits neglect basic oral hygiene

RUGBY – A new survey published recently by the British Dental Health Foundation has shown that many people in the UK have a poor attitude with ...

New article spotlights oral health collaboration for ageing populations

LONDON, England: A recent editorial has highlighted the meaningful collaboration between the dental profession and industry under FDI World Dental ...

Interview: “It is unacceptable to neglect severe oral diseases”

In a report, researchers of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study have recently shed light on the global dimensions of severe ...

Report underscores significant health and financial benefits of sugar-free gum consumption

LONDON, England: While chewing gum may be considered a somewhat undesirable habit, sugar-free varieties have been proved to be highly beneficial for oral ...

Ethnic inequalities in UK oral health: Evidence, gaps and priorities for action

LONDON, England: The structural asymmetries that pervade society as a whole are inevitably reproduced within specific industries, dentistry being no ...

National award for child oral health scheme launched

LONDON, UK: Dental practices across the UK have been invited to enter a national competition that recognises success in increasing the number of children ...

Henry Schein and American Express partner for financial services

GILLINGHAM & BIRMINGHAM, UK: For the first time, American Express will be hosting the Business Lounge above the Henry Schein Dental stand at the BDIA ...

Education

Live webinar
Tue. 2 December 2025
5:00 pm UTC (London)