One-third of Australians skipping the dentist

Australia: A survey of 25,000 Australians found that a third of people have deferred dental treatment in the past 12 months.

A combination of factors have been cited as reasons: COVID-19 lockdowns, increased financial cost burden due to rising inflation; less than adequate public awareness about how poor oral health can lead to a range of serious health conditions.

“That’s a very high number of people who are not accessing dental services,” says Dr Hutton, the national president of the Australian Dental Association (ADA).

The top reason given by the respondents was that they felt that their dental problem was not urgent (26 per cent); followed by 17 per cent who were concerned about catching COVID at the dental clinic or travelling to it.

Sixteen per cent cited cost as a factor, stating they were not in a financial position for dental care; and 14 per cent blamed it on lockdowns or inability to travel to the dental clinic.

While COVID-19 has generally been identified as the underlying reason, dentists are also concerned about the lackadaisical perception about the importance of dental health.

“These statistics tell us a lot about where oral health is sitting for people during the Covid pandemic,” said Dr Mikaela Chinotti, a Dentist and Oral Health Promoter with ADA.

“With people losing their jobs or working reduced hours, dental care took on a lesser priority or was inaccessible during lockdowns for some families.”

“These statistics tell us a lot about where oral health is sitting for people during the Covid pandemic”

Dr Mikaela Chinotti, Dentist and Oral Health Promoter, ADA.

Among those surveyed who postponed their visits, 42 per cent were putting off a routine dental check-up; 26 per cent delayed investigating a new problem, and 24 per cent put off treatment of an existing problem.

“It is always a surprise that people don’t recognise the importance of keeping good oral health,” said Eithne Irving, Deputy CEO of the Australian Dental Association, who believes the statistics to be pretty consistent.

In terms of demographic, the ADA report found among those who postponed, 23 per cent were in the 18-24s age group; and 41 per cent aged from 65-74s. More women, the report found appointment across all age ranges, than men were putting off their dental appointments.

On the positive side, Dr Chinotti is heartened that despite COVID-19 challenges, the survey shows the majority of Australian dental patients were still looking after their dental health.

She added: “That said though, with two thirds of people still getting treatments or attending for check-ups particularly in states less impacted by lockdowns, this is good news for the nation’s oral health because oral conditions left untreated can result in serious consequences including on the rest of the body.”