According to the 2024 Oral Health Survey conducted by Denplan, a dental payment plan provider, over 5,000 consumers across Britain were surveyed, revealing significant trends in dental care preferences.
The primary motivation for seeking private dental care was the desire for quicker treatment, with 39% of respondents citing this reason. Nearly 38% of individuals considering private options stated they would make the switch if they were unable to secure an appointment with an NHS dentist. Additionally, over a third (34%) indicated a willingness to go private for treatments that are not available through the NHS.
The survey indicated that 20% of Brits are currently utilizing private dental care, marking a 2% increase from the previous year. Notably, three in ten individuals who currently see a private dentist began this transition within the last two years.
Access issues are a significant barrier to regular dental visits, with almost a third (29%) of respondents who do not visit a dentist regularly (defined as less than every two years) attributing this to difficulties in finding or accessing a local NHS dentist—an increase of 12% compared to 2021.
The findings also showed that individuals enrolled in a monthly dental payment plan (8%) were less concerned about the costs of dental appointments, with only 23% expressing worry, compared to the 31% average for all respondents.
Among those with a payment plan, the top reasons for enrollment included providing peace of mind (43%), aiding budgeting (42%), and helping to spread the costs of treatment (40%).
Furthermore, patients with health insurance coverage were found to be more likely to attend dental appointments regularly. A striking 90% of individuals with health plans—allowing them to claim back dental treatment costs—reported visiting the dentist or hygienist at least once every two years, compared to 70% of those without health coverage.
Dr. Catherine Rutland, clinical director at Denplan, commented on the findings, stating, “People are increasingly considering switching to private dental care for faster appointments and additional treatment options. The costs associated with dental care can deter attendance, highlighting the need for financial support.”
She noted a growing trend among both dentists and patients towards dental payment plans, which facilitate budgeting and encourage more regular checkups, promoting a preventative approach to dental health. Dr. Rutland also highlighted that employers are contributing by including dental coverage in health plans, assisting staff in reclaiming dental costs.
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