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Dentists warned high prices are deterring patients
17th May 2010
New research reveals a staggering 42% (19.9 million) of Britons have avoided going to the dentist in the last five years.
The affordability of dental treatment remains a key concern, with 14% of people avoiding treatment because of worries about costs.
Dental practitioners are now being advised to investigate avenues to reduce the cost of treatment for patients if they want to drive higher volumes of patients and revenues.
A further 3.2 million (7%) Britons have been so worried about the problems a dentist might find with their teeth that they have avoided a check-up.
The research also reveals more than 3.1 million (7%) Britons have not gone for a check-up or treatment because they claim there is no NHS dentist near where they live.
Dentists are also being advised to look at new ways to counsel and reassure patients who are scared of seeking treatment.
Patients can find the experience intimidating and may need longer appointments so there is time to explain step by step the treatment process to calm what are often irrational fears.
One-in-ten (9%) Britons has been so scared of going to the dentist that they have avoided going in the last five years.
The research indicates that dental practitioners may be able to drive additional reviews by increasing the flexibility of their opening hours, offering evening and weekend surgeries.
Many company bosses have been stung by employees using ‘a trip to the dentist' as an excuse for sneaking off to a job interview and have barred dental trips in work time.
More than 900,000 Britons have not gone to the dentist in the last five years because they could not get time off work.
Jason Buglass, managing director of The Implantium Network who conducted the research, says: 'Dentists looking to drive additional revenues will need to be increasingly flexible with charges and treatment hours if they want to maximise returns.
'The pent-up desire for change in the industry has been reinforced by the successful launch of the Implantium Network, which comprises 150 dental practitioners across the UK and offers dental implants 37% cheaper than the industry average.
'Innovative networks and pricing strategies such as these will help deliver a competitive edge for dentists looking to increase the numbers of patients on their books and drive revenues from more complex procedures.'
On a regional basis, a staggering one-in-five (21%) of those living in Wales have avoided going to the dentist in the last five years because they claim they could not afford treatment.
Londoners are most likely to be afraid of the dentists with 12% steering clear of the dentists' chair.
NHS dental provision appears particularly poor in Wales, with 15% of inhabitants claiming they have avoided visiting the dentist because an NHS practice was not located nearby.
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