LONDON – Only half of Britons see a dentist regularly, the latest research by international health-care group Bupa has revealed. The survey also found that, despite apparently not prioritising oral health, many people consider the appearance of a person’s teeth important and believe that it has a major impact on one’s career and romantic life.
According to Bupa, three in five people (63 per cent) believe that having bad teeth can prevent one from finding a partner, and over half (52 per cent) think that having nice teeth can help one get a better job. Almost half (46 per cent) of the respondents feel that having nice teeth can help one to make more friends.
However, only half of the people polled (53 per cent) attend regular dental appointments and one in seven (14 per cent) have not used any dental services in the last four years. Four per cent have never visited the dentist at all.
More than one in three people said that the expense is the main reason for not visiting the dentist regularly. Although three in ten people have landed themselves in debt or have had to make sacrifices in order to cover unexpected dental bills, only one in ten people have dental insurance or a dental cash plan.
An attractive smile, however, seems to be important to Britons. One in seven respondents (14 per cent) said that they would abstain from sex for a whole year if it meant they could have perfect teeth. One in five (22 per cent) would forgo alcohol for a year for a spectacular smile.
“Being happy with your teeth can have a big impact on your confidence and this can affect your work and relationships,” said Brian Franks, Clinical Director of Dentistry at Bupa Health and Wellbeing. “So it’s surprising that so many people don’t go for regular dental examinations.”
LONDON, UK: The UK general election is just weeks away, scheduled to be held on 12 December. In recognition of the oral health inequalities that exist ...
CARDIFF, UK: Nearly half of people in Wales did not receive any treatment from NHS dentists over a two-year period, new statistics published by the Welsh ...
Though oral cancer is a condition rarely seen in the dental practice, the combination of its increasing incidence and relatively poor five-year survival ...
LONDON, UK: For millions of Brits, 31 January is the last day to submit their tax returns. According to new data collected by consumer watchdog Which?, ...
BETHERSDEN, UK: Dental health associations worldwide, including the British Oral Health Foundation, usually advise against snacking on dried fruits. Owing ...
LONDON, UK: In order to determine the effectiveness and safety of fluoride mouthrinses in preventing dental caries in the younger population, researchers ...
BELFAST, UK: The findings of a new study suggest that regular use of aspirin could cut head and neck cancer risk by almost a quarter. The researchers found ...
Dental practices are not particularly green. According to the Eco Dentistry Organisation, clinics generate 4.8 million lead foils, 28 million litres of ...
STIRLING, UK: A recent survey conducted by the British Dental Association (BDA) has found that a Scottish government initiative to potentially extend the ...
LONDON, UK: In 2016, the Member of Parliament for Monmouth, David Davies, courted controversy when he suggested that dental checks could be used to verify ...
Live webinar
Fri. 19 July 2024
1:00 am UTC (London)
Live webinar
Tue. 6 August 2024
11:00 pm UTC (London)
Live webinar
Wed. 14 August 2024
12:00 am UTC (London)
Live webinar
Wed. 14 August 2024
5:30 pm UTC (London)
Live webinar
Wed. 21 August 2024
2:00 pm UTC (London)
Dr. Jim Lai DMD, MSc(Perio), EdD, FRCD(C)
Live webinar
Thu. 29 August 2024
1:00 am UTC (London)
Live webinar
Mon. 2 September 2024
10:00 am UTC (London)
To post a reply please login or register