DT News - UK - Every second Briton avoids regular dental check-ups

Dental Tribune International

Fri. 29 June 2012

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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.”

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