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Survey reveals dental access a "major worry"
Twenty-one per cent of people are not currently accessing NHS or private dental care, a survey has revealed.
The survey, which was undertaken on behalf of Westfield Health and polled 510 adults aged 18 and over, highlighted a regional variation regarding regular visits to the dentist.
People in the Midlands and the South West are significantly more likely to have visited a dentist in the past 12 months (82 per cent and 84 per cent respectively), compared to 69 per cent of people in London and the South East.
Westfield’s research supports the findings of a recent Citizens Advice poll, which suggested that lack of access has prevented one in six people from seeing an NHS dentist for almost two years.
Extrapolating from the Citizens Advice poll result, the authors estimate that of the 7.4m who tried and failed to see an NHS dentist, 4.7m eventually opted for private treatment and 2.7m went without treatment altogether.
Jim Lafferty, Chairman of Sheffield Local Dental Committee, said: "It’s no surprise that Westfield’s survey has revealed that access to dental care is a major worry for people throughout the UK."
"It is quite clear that access to dental care is not improving and I feel that this is due to insufficient funding in NHS dentistry. Many people simply find dental care too expensive, even at NHS prices, and therefore do not access a dentist at all."
"When people do get on a dentist’s books, the cost of regular check-ups and treatment can sometimes deter people from undergoing essential maintenance or preventive work."
Westfield Health Deputy Chief Executive Jill Davies said: "In an age of spiralling healthcare costs, it is important to take a proactive role in looking after your everyday healthcare."
"Employers and individuals alike are viewing healthcare cover as a very positive and relevant benefit and anything that includes dental cover is very attractive."
© Westfield Health Insurance | 2008
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