Portugal’s ongoing struggle with access to dental care is taking a serious toll on the population’s oral health, as new data from the 2024 Oral Health Barometer reveals alarming trends. Despite improvements in the availability of dental services in recent years, the increasing number of people unable to afford dental care highlights a deepening crisis in oral health accessibility.
The report, published by the Order of Dentists, shows that approximately one million people in Portugal avoid dental visits or go less than once a year, with 30% of this group citing the high cost of dental care as the primary reason. This percentage has worsened by over 5% compared to 2023, underscoring a troubling trend.
For many, dentistry is not readily available through the public healthcare system (SNS), and the lack of state-supported dental care is seen as a major contributing factor to the growing dental crisis. The survey indicates that an overwhelming 98.2% of respondents believe that access to oral health through the SNS is important, and 96.3% think the state should financially support dental treatments, similar to its support for medications.
Despite these concerns, the survey does show a slight improvement in the frequency of dental consultations. In 2024, 65.4% of respondents reported visiting the dentist at least once a year, a small increase from the previous year. However, the percentage of people who never visited a dentist has risen by 3.6%, reaching 27.4%.
The findings also indicate a sharp rise in tooth loss. The proportion of people with at least one missing tooth increased significantly from 58.9% in 2023 to 65.7% in 2024, with the number of individuals missing six or more teeth also rising. This is a concerning statistic, as losing six or more teeth is often associated with a significant decline in chewing ability and overall oral health. Notably, women are more likely than men to experience tooth loss, with 31.7% of women having complete teeth, compared to 36.8% of men.
A growing concern is that over half of those with missing teeth—57.1%—have no replacement for the lost teeth, which exacerbates the problem. Women are particularly affected, with 31.4% having lost six or more teeth, compared to 23.4% of men.
Oral hygiene habits are also declining. The report reveals that only 74.4% of people brush their teeth at least twice a day, marking a 4.4% drop compared to last year. Access to dental care remains a key challenge, with only 2.5% of respondents accessing dental services through the SNS, with the rest relying on private care or insurance.
The report also highlights the progress made in dental care for children under six, with the percentage of children who have never been to the dentist dropping to 49.6%.
Miguel Pavão, president of the Order of Dentists, condemned the findings, calling them “a shame for the country” and blaming the lack of investment in oral health. He emphasized the urgent need for the government to introduce a National Oral Health Program, which was supposed to be revealed by the end of 2024.
He also pointed out the socioeconomic factors affecting access to dental care, noting that nearly 20% of the population lives in poverty, which exacerbates the social inequalities and health challenges associated with poor oral health. Pavão stressed that a comprehensive oral health program should involve public, private, and social sectors and should focus on preventive care across all stages of life.
The data paints a grim picture of Portugal’s oral health crisis, but it also underscores the critical need for policy intervention to improve access to dental care for all citizens, particularly for those who are economically disadvantaged. As the World Health Organization continues to advocate for universal access to oral health care, the situation in Portugal remains dire, with no clear solution in sight.
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