Dental Tourism Boom as UK Patients Seek Affordable Care Abroad

One in 20 UK Adults Travelled Overseas for Dental Treatment

A recent report by the General Dental Council (GDC) reveals that approximately 6% of British adults sought dental care abroad in the past year. This trend, known as dental tourism, has emerged amidst growing difficulties in accessing NHS dentistry and rising private healthcare costs in the UK.

Cost and Accessibility Drive Dental Tourism

The primary motivation for seeking treatment overseas was the high cost of dental procedures in the UK. Additionally, many patients reported difficulties in registering with NHS dental practices or securing timely appointments locally.

Stefan Czerniawski, executive director of strategy at the GDC, expressed concern over these findings:

“The research shows clear evidence of patients’ concerns that the recovery of dental services after the Covid pandemic has not only stalled but may have gone into reverse. That has worrying implications for the oral health of patients and the public, which need urgent attention.”

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Younger Adults More Likely to Seek Treatment Abroad

The report highlights that dental tourism is particularly prevalent among younger age groups. An striking 18% of adults aged 18-34 reported travelling abroad for dental care, significantly higher than the overall average.

Global Destinations for Dental Care

UK patients reported receiving dental treatment in nearly 30 different countries, with France and India among the popular destinations. Some individuals even incorporated dental visits into their regular holidays, such as one respondent who routinely sought care during trips to Greece after failing to register with an NHS dentist in the East Midlands.

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Declining Confidence in NHS Dentistry

The GDC’s survey of 2,000 adults paints a concerning picture of the state of UK dentistry. Public confidence in NHS dental services and access to care has deteriorated in recent years. A fifth of respondents reported being unable to book a dental appointment in the past year despite attempts to do so.

Financial Barriers to Dental Care

The cost of treatment remains a significant obstacle for many UK residents. Among those who had not accessed dental care in the previous 12 months, 31% cited cost as the primary reason. The survey also revealed that 24% of patients were dissatisfied with the affordability of their treatment.

Shift Towards Private Care

The report indicates a notable shift towards private dental care, with 42% of those receiving private treatment having only started doing so in the past three years. This transition was largely driven by difficulties in accessing NHS services.

Calls for Reform and Increased Access

Louise Ansari, chief executive at Healthwatch England, emphasized the need for immediate action:

“We now call on the new government to tell the public, when and how it will roll out the 700,000 extra appointments it has pledged to deliver under a new Dental Rescue Plan. We also call for NHS dental charges for 2025 to be frozen at current levels to prevent more people being put off seeking help.”

Government Response and Future Plans

In response to these findings, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the gravity of the situation:

“It is unacceptable that so many people struggle to simply get a dental appointment, and this research lays bare the scale of the situation. There are large parts of the country where NHS dentistry barely exists any more.”

The government has pledged to rebuild NHS dentistry, starting with an additional 700,000 emergency dental appointments. Plans also include reforming dental contracts to encourage more dentists to offer NHS services and introducing supervised tooth brushing programs for young children.

As the UK grapples with these challenges in dental care access and affordability, the rise in dental tourism serves as a clear indicator of the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in the national dental healthcare system.