DT News - UK - Brits borrow to fund dental care

Dental Tribune International

Sun. 12 May 2013

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ANDOVER – A survey of 5,000 adults has found that a considerable number of UK citizens use credit cards or bank loans to pay dental bills over £200 (€237). Some even borrow money from family members or friends because they cannot afford dental treatment.

Although 62 per cent of the survey participants stated that they had not received a dental bill over £200 in the last year, the investigators found that 40 per cent used a credit card and 11 per cent a payback or bank loan to pay their dental bills. About 6 per cent reported having borrowed from friends or family to meet the costs.

“Our survey shows that over half (52 per cent) of individuals are worried about being able to afford their dental care in the future,” said James Glover, spokesperson of UK health-care provider Simplyhealth. “About 28 per cent of people do not visit the dentist more often because they can’t afford it , with some avoiding the dentist for over a decade.” In addition, the survey found that one in five would not replace missing teeth owing to financial reasons, Glover stated.

He further emphasised the importance of regular dental check-ups, as dentists are often the first medical professionals to spot more-serious issues such as oral cancer. “With just under a quarter of people admitting that they would not change their current dental habits even if they knew that poor oral health could be linked to more serious diseases, the need to visit the dentist regularly is even more apparent,” Glover concluded.

The survey was conducted online between 25 March and 2 April on behalf of Simplyhealth.

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