6.3 million UK employees have avoided the dentist due to cost-of-living fears
Data from employee benefits provider Unum UK has found that 21% of employees — equivalent to 6.3 million people of working age — avoided dental appointments in 2023 due to fears over the expense. This demonstrates that the cost-of-living crisis remains a key concern amongst the British public, even for important healthcare such as dentistry. The figure also reinforces the significant financial barriers for many seeking essential dental care, with many forced to forego routine check-ups and treatments in order to make ends meet.
This is only set to increase with the latest 4% rise in NHS dental charges in England effective from 1 April 2024. Moreover, four in five dentists are now taking only private patients, with the risk of creating ‘dental deserts’ where no NHS provision is available locally. Such is the dentistry crisis in the UK that many have looked to other solutions to cover the costs, be that from insurers, employers or healthcare providers.
Unum Dental saw another strong surge in claims paid in 2023 — up by 29% in monetary terms to £31 million and also by 29% in the number of claims paid from 2022. This further demonstrates how demand is rising for workplace solutions to bridge the gap and mitigate the shortage of NHS dentists.
The mounting crisis in NHS dentistry is also fast becoming a key election battle ground issue, with Labour promising an extra 700,000 urgent dental appointments and reform of the NHS dental contract. Meanwhile, the Conservatives plan to offer incentives to dentists to deliver NHS care to ramp up provision nationally.
Clare Lusted, Head of Product Proposition at Unum UK commented:
“Access to dentistry is a basic expectation, yet millions in the UK are facing barriers, be it financial or geographic, in obtaining oral healthcare. As the connection between oral health and overall wellbeing becomes increasingly evident, there is a growing imperative to prioritise preventative health services as a proactive strategy for addressing dental issues and promoting holistic wellbeing.
“Unum Dental recently partnered with digital dentist Toothfairy to provide insured employees with access to high-quality everyday preventative dentistry services, and with initiatives like this leading the way in corporate dental insurance, there is hope for a brighter future where individuals can access the oral care and support they need to thrive in the workplace. However, we urge the government to ensure equitable access for all. It's time for decisive action to prioritise oral health as an integral component of societal wellbeing.”
1 Four out of five dentists in England not taking on new NHS patients, research shows, The Guardian
2 New data can lift lid on England’s real dental deserts, British Dental Association