Sixty eight per cent of dentists said their patients were deferring treatment and 59 per cent reported cancelled appointments.
The poll of 251 dentists in England, for the British Dental Association (BDA), found the knock-on effect was a clear rise in the numbers needing emergency treatment.
More than a third (34 per cent) of practitioners questioned in October and November said they had seen increased demand for emergency treatment over the previous 12 months.
Dental check-ups often reveal more serious underlying health problems than simple gum disease.
Some dental diseases are closely linked to many serious health conditions including heart disease, arthritis and diabetes.
‘It’s understandable that, at a time when there is widespread concern about household finances, some patients’ financial anxieties are leading them to defer dental appointments and treatment,’ said Susie Sanderson, of the BDA.
‘Achieving short-term money savings at the expense of longer-term health problems isn’t wise, though.
‘Neglecting your oral health can increase both the complexity of the problems you face and the cost of the treatment you must eventually have.’
Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/855883-thousands-are-dodging-the-dentist#ixzz1EJS7o5AZ
