One in five patients in the UK has put off dental treatment because of the cost, according to a survey by the Office for National Statistics.
The survey revealed that only 58% tried to book an NHS appointment in the past three years, while 7% were unable to do so.
About 26% reported their decision of the type of treatment they opted for was affected by the cost, and 19% said they delayed treatment due to the same reason.
British Dental Association executive board chairman Susie Sanderson said that the results also reinforce the findings of its own research in highlighting the effect of the recession as a deterrent for some patients seeking dental care.
“While it’s understandable that patients’ financial anxieties are leading them to defer appointments and treatment, achieving short-term money savings at the expense of longer-term health problems really isn’t wise,” Sanderson said.
The Adult Dental Health Survey, which is conducted every ten years, surveyed more than 13,400 households in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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