Oral hygiene routines might start in the mouth, but their effects are felt throughout many aspects of our lives – from feeling confident to smile and laugh, to avoiding mounting bills for extensive dental treatment.
However, the 2024 edition of Denplan’s annual oral health survey has revealed that much of the British population is not following oral hygiene guidelines or accessing adequate preventative dental care. Some of the most shocking statistics highlighted in the survey include:
- Almost a third of adults brush their teeth less than twice a day.
- 25% of adults in Great Britain visit the dentist less than every 2 years.
- 29% of NHS patients admit to never visiting the hygienist.
- 50% of parents will not take their child to the dentist until they are over 3.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the country’s approach to oral hygiene in 2024, the factors impacting access to preventative care in 2024, and why a dental plan offers an affordable solution for long-term health and peace of mind.
What is preventative dental care and why is it so important?
Preventative dental care includes at-home oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups and hygiene appointments – everything that is recommended to maintain a healthy mouth and avoid dental issues in the future.
At-home oral hygiene should include brushing teeth for two minutes twice a day and flossing regularly. It is also recommended that you have two dental check-ups and two hygiene appointments every year, however this number varies for every individual and should be checked with a dentist.
When these preventative measures are ignored, bacteria builds up in the mouth causing tooth decay and gum disease. The risks of poor oral hygiene go beyond the mouth, and we recently wrote about how oral health has been linked to heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Dental issues have also been linked to poor mental health, time spent off work – and when allowed to worsen – costly treatment and restoration.
The latest statistics
Denplan’s annual Oral Health Survey provides one of the most comprehensive insights into Great Britain’s oral health habits and attitudes. 2024’s survey has revealed some shocking statistics about the nation’s approach to oral hygiene, with many not receiving as much preventative care as is necessary for a healthy mouth and body. Let’s take a look…
At-home dental care
Almost a third of adults admitted to brushing their teeth less than the recommended twice a day. In fact, 6% said that they don’t brush every day, largely due to lack of time and forgetfulness.
Dental check-ups
GB adults are not visiting the dentist as often as they should, with only 40% going for a check-up every 6 months (as is recommended), 25% visiting the dentist less than every 2 years, and 8% saying they never visit the dentist at all.
Hygiene appointments
While the number of times you need to see a dental hygienist depends on individual circumstances, the general recommendation is twice a year. 36% of private patients and just 18% of NHS patients see a hygienist every six months. Furthermore, 15% of private patients and 29% of NHS patients never visit the hygienist.
Child dental care
Another alarming statistic revealed that 50% of GB parents do not plan on taking their child to the dentist until they’re over 3 years old. This is despite guidelines stating children should be taken to the dentist within six months of their first tooth coming in, or before their first birthday. Children’s dental health is already a pressing concern in this country, with each child missing 3 school days on average per year due to tooth decay.
The impact
26% of adults say dental pain has impacted them at work, and 11.7 million working days are lost per year due to dental problems. 19% of parents said that their child has experienced tooth pain and 15% say their child has had a filling.
So, what’s stopping people going to the dentist?
In addition to statistics about Great Britain’s oral hygiene habits, the survey also revealed common factors preventing people receiving the dental care they need.
Out of the participants that said they go to the dentist less than every 2 years, reasons given included dental phobia (26%), lack of access to NHS dentistry (29%), and being unable to afford it (38%).
These are all valid barriers. Dental phobia is a real factor preventing people visiting the dentist, impacting 52% of the UK population. We took a deep dive into dental phobia, its causes and how to overcome it in our recent blog. NHS dentistry has also become hard to access in many areas across the UK, and the cost of paying as you go with private dentistry is unaffordable for many – especially if you’re told that treatment is required.
An affordable solution: access routine private dental care from 59p per day
Dental plans allow members to avoid long waiting lists and to access routine private care without paying large lump sums up front. 543 Dencare is a pay-monthly dental plan that spreads the cost of annual check-ups and hygiene appointments from as little as £17.75 per month.
Routine appointments ensure developing issues are caught and treated early on, providing peace of mind that your mouth is healthy and problem-free. And with all of your routine appointments included for just 59p per day (less than a pint of milk!), why wouldn’t you make the most of the benefits?!
Beyond routine care, 543 Dencare members benefit from oral cancer screening, worldwide emergency assistance, and 20% off qualifying treatments like fillings, whitening and dentures. Plus, each family member that joins will receive 10% off their monthly fee – so you can care for the whole family for less!
If you want to take back control of your oral health and make your smile a priority in 2025, find out more about 543 Dencare and become a member today.
