Dental care plays a vital role in our overall health, self esteem and mental wellbeing, and yet a large portion of Great Britain doesn’t see it as a priority.
Denplan’s annual Oral Health Survey provides a comprehensive insight into the country’s approach to dental health, and the 2024 report has revealed that only 40% of adults see a dentist for a check-up every six months – the recommended frequency for most patients. Furthermore, only 21% said they see a hygienist every six months, which is also the recommended frequency for most patients.
The survey found that a significant factor preventing people visiting the dentist was cost, and that 55% of regular attendees would consider buying a dental plan to help them budget for the costs of dental care and treatment.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why preventative dental care is so important for your long-term health and finances, and why a dental plan is the most sensible way to budget for your dental costs in the new year.
Shocking insights into Great Britain’s approach to oral health
Denplan’s 2024 survey has provided some alarming insights into the country’s approach to oral health, including:
- Only 71% brush their teeth the recommended twice a day, only 41% floss daily, and 6% don’t brush every day.
- 26% say dental pain has affected their work, and 6% have taken time off for dental problems.
- 50% of parents have not or do not plan to take their children to the dentist until they’re over three years old. Official guidelines state that children should visit the dentist within six months of their first milk tooth appearing, or by their first birthday at the latest.
- 8% of adults never go for a dental check-up, and 25% go for a check-up less than every two years.
- 28% say they never visit the hygienist.
Cost is the biggest barrier to accessing regular dental care
When the survey’s participants who visit the dentist less than every two years were asked why this is, 26% said dental phobia, 29% said lack of access to NHS dentistry, and 38% said they were unable to afford it.
In times of economic uncertainty, it’s easy to see why some might think it’s all right to reduce their annual appointments. However, as we’ll explain, these appointments are essential to ensure that issues don’t go unaddressed and require much more expensive treatment.
Why are regular dental appointments so important?
For healthy patients, it’s generally recommended to visit the dentist twice a year for a check-up and twice a year for hygiene appointments. Check-ups allow a dentist to see if there are any problems beginning to develop in the mouth (from tooth decay to gum disease and oral cancer). They can then nip problems in the bud before they become larger issues.
Routine check-ups alone are not enough to stay on top of your oral health. There are certain areas of the mouth, such as below the gumline, that are impossible to clean by yourself at home. Without a hygienist, bacteria will continue to grow in these places, putting you at risk of gum disease and tooth decay. If left to worsen, these issues can require extensive and expensive dental treatment.
Bacterial build-up in the mouth doesn’t just put your oral health at risk, this bacteria has been found to spread around the body causing heart disease, lung disease and has been linked to Alzheimer’s.
Dental plans – making routine private dental care more budget-friendly
In Denplan’s survey, 55% of those that regularly attend the dentist said they would consider buying a dental plan to help budget their dental care. Out of those that already had a dental plan, 43% said it was for peace of mind, 42% said it was to help them budget, and 40% said it was to help them spread costs.
A dental plan like Denplan Essentials spreads the cost of your annual check-up and hygiene appointments over 12 monthly payments. This also covers any necessary X-rays and 10% off additional required dental treatments (excluding dental implants). For those that favour predictable payments rather than paying as they go, dental plans make a lot of financial sense. They also ensure you access all of the preventative dental care you need.
If you’re looking ahead to a healthier 2025, and a year of better budgeting too – a dental plan is a great idea. At Ringley Park, Denplan Essentials starts at just £29.60 per month, with various plans available to suit individual patient needs. Find out more about our dental plans here, or enquire now by emailing info@ringleypark.org or calling 01737 240123.
