A comprehensive survey of over 5,000 adults in Great Britain
Carried out by Deltapoll on behalf of Simplyhealth, this comprehensive annual survey covers oral hygiene practices, access and barriers to dental care, as well as guidance for children’s oral health care.
3 key findings from 2024
1
Private and the NHS
Six in ten (61%) NHS dental patients would consider paying for private dental care, with the top reason being to access faster treatment (39%).
2
Health plans and access
90% of people with a health plan, that lets them claim back the cost of dental care, go to the dentist or hygienist at least once every two years, compared to 70% of those with no cover.
3
Children’s oral health
Half (50%) of parents said they had not taken or didn’t intend to take their child to the dentist by the time they are three-years-old, despite official guidance recommending they are taken when the first milk teeth appear, usually at six months.
Prioritising oral health
Our survey shows access to dental care is still a concern, with 31% of people worrying about the cost of visiting the dentist. This explains why there’s a decrease to 54% of people who pay as they go, down 5% since 2021, and an increase in people reclaiming their costs via a health plan or insurance plan, this year 7%, up from 5% in 2021.
Oral health in the workplace
Long-term sickness is a reality for UK employers, with 2.8 million off on long-term sick overall. What many might not know is that the high number of sick days is, in part, due to dental issues. This year our research shows that 6% of people say they have taken time off work due to dental problems – equating to 11.7 million working days lost a year.
By offering health plans, which include dental cover, employers can support their workforce with access to oral health support that allows them to focus on prevention and early intervention. This enables employees to take a more proactive approach to their oral healthcare routines by encouraging more regular attendance and focusing on preventing problems rather than having to cure them.
This year’s survey highlights several challenges and opportunities to alleviate some of the oral healthcare pressures faced by Great Britain, and how the Government can work with the dentistry sector to bring about improved access and adoption of preventative care.