One quarter of Brits have delayed dentist visits due to fear of the cost of treatment, known as financial dentophobia.
This is according to research by consumer healthcare company, Haleon. It found that 31% of adults would seek treatment sooner if costs were lower or clearer.
In addition to financial obstacles, major reasons for putting off dental visits included anxiety (20%), and believing problems would resolve on their own (7.6%).
However, dentists were still viewed as the most reliable source of oral health information, with 51% of adults saying they rely on dentists for guidance. On the other hand, 20% turned to social media and 16% to artificial intelligence (AI) tools or chatbots.
The results of the survey suggest that access may be a major barrier to dental treatment. More than a quarter of respondents said they were registered with a dentist but could not get an appointment. A further 13% also said they were not able to register with a dentist at all.
Why is financial dentophobia a problem?
Jo Cooper, general manager UK and Ireland at Haleon, highlighted the long-term impact of putting off dental treatment.
She said: ‘Tooth decay is largely preventable, but prevention only works when people can act early and consistently. This research shows that too many people cannot get appointments, are worried about costs, or wait until pain forces action.
‘We aim to make prevention simple, providing consumers with the information and trusted products they need to achieve better everyday health. Haleon works closely with healthcare professionals and policymakers to advocate for the importance of preventative oral care. This action is critical to stop people from living in pain, reducing inequalities, and easing pressure on a stretched healthcare system.’
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