A quarter of patients delayed dental care due to costs, says oral health survey

The questionnaire received 6,343 responses from 4,429 randomly selected households across England. The survey covered self-assessed oral health, oral health behaviours, service use, barriers to care and impacts of oral health.

Seventy-seven per cent of adults with natural teeth reported meeting the recommended twice-a-day brushing. More than half of adults (59 per cent) who brushed their teeth said they used an electric toothbrush.

The statistics also stated eight in 10 adults met the recommendation to see a dentist once every two years. However, one in 10 adults (18 per cent) admitted they only sought a dentist when they had trouble with their mouth, teeth or dentures. Four per cent of adults said they had never been to see a dentist.