61% Of NHS Patients 'Would Consider' Private Alternatives
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- Published: Tuesday, 08 October 2024 09:35
- Written by Guy Tuggle
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Whilst an estimated thirteen million adults are unable to access NHS dentistry*, dental plan provider Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, has published the results of a survey which reveal that 61% of patients who do access NHS services ‘would consider‘ going private.
Accessing faster treatment (39%) is the top reason that NHS patients would choose to pay for private treatment, followed by being unable to get an appointment with an NHS dentist (38%), and getting access to treatments unavailable on the NHS (34%).
5000 consumers were surveyed for Denplan’s Oral Health Survey 2024 which, the provider says, makes it one of the largest surveys of the public’s dental habits.
The Oral Health Survey found that nearly a third (29%) of those who don’t visit a dentist regularly (less than every two years) say it’s because they can’t find or access a local NHS dentist – an increase of 12% compared to 2021. And in further evidence that the shortage of NHS dentists is driving patients to the private sector, the new data reveals that a fifth (20%) of Brits are now using private dental care.
This represents a 2% increase from the 2023 survey. Three in ten current private dental patients had started seeing a private dentist over the past two years.
Dr Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Denplan, said “People are considering switching to private dental care to get faster appointments and additional treatments. The cost of dentistry can feel like a reason not to attend which is why it’s important that financial support is available.
"We are seeing an increase in dentists and patients asking for dental payment plans, which help patients to budget and encourages them to go for more regular checkups, and take a preventative approach to their dental care. Employers are also helping their staff claim back the cost of dental care by including dental cover in their health plans” said Rutland.
Payment plan providers stress that patients who commit to making a monthly payment are more likely to take full advantage of their entitlement to examinations and hygienist services and consequently require less intervention than infrequent attendees and this is confirmed by the Oral Health Report.
90% of people with a health plan attend the dentist or hygienist at least once every 2 years versus 70% who have no health cover.
* British Dental Association figures.
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