One in four missing dental treatment due to cost
NHS charges are rising from today
The British Dental Association (BDA) is warning one in four people are delaying or going without NHS dental treatment because of its rising cost.
On the day NHS charges in England rise by 8.5%, the professional body says it's concerned that patients are not seeking the help they need, because they cannot afford it.
A new poll by YouGov for the BDA of 1,723 adults in England found 23% report delaying or going without NHS dental treatment for reasons of cost.
The price hike now in force will mean the cost of a band 1 treatment, such as a check-up will increase from £23.80 to £25.80, while a band 2, such as a filling, will increase from £65.20 to £70.70.
A band 3, such as dentures, will increase from £282.80 to £306.80.
Poll results:
In the poll, people were told that NHS dentistry is currently funded by a mix of direct government contributions from general taxation and patient charges.
They were asked: "Thinking about how NHS dentistry should be funded going forward, which of the following, if any, comes closest to your view?"
Some 38% of people said dentistry should be fully funded by the Government through general taxation, effectively free at the point of delivery.
Meanwhile, 29% said funding from the Government should increase, while maintaining some patient charges.
Overall, 16% said charge levels should remain unchanged.
Furthermore, 82% of people surveyed said exemptions should cover cancer patients, whose treatment can cause dental problems.
When asked "have you ever delayed or gone without an NHS dental treatment that you needed?", 26% of people said they had gone without and 19% said they had delayed.
When asked why, 53% said treatment cost too much while 34% said they could not get an appointment and 13% thought treatment would be too painful.
On the main factors that influence what type of treatment people choose, 45% said the price, while a lower proportion, 36%, said the clinical recommendations of their dentist.
A fifth cited quality of appearance after treatment as a factor, while 18% said appointment availability.
The BDA is urging the Government to halt any further planned increase in charges next year.
It said that while some adult patients are exempt from charges, many on modest incomes still have to pay, including recipients of low-income benefits such as Universal Credit.
The BDA argues that price rises are simply becoming a substitute for Government investment.
It told the Commons Health and Social Care Committee inquiry last month that saving NHS dentistry requires a sustainable funding settlement.
'Millions will be forced to think twice about dental care'
BDA chairman, Eddie Crouch, said: "This hike won't put a penny into NHS dentistry, it will just force millions to think twice about needed care.
"Sadly, widening health inequality is a price this Government seems willing to pay to cover for cuts.
"This is not a partisan issue. The public recognises this is not the way to fund a core part of our health service."
The cost of living crisis is affecting many:
Interest rates and inflation go up
Inflation rose by 8.8% in the 12 months to January 2023, down from 9.2% in December 2022. With interest rates also rising to 4%, those saving money will earn more interest on their finances, whilst those paying mortgages would pay more interest to the bank.
Energy bills
The price of energy went up incredibly as the cost of living crisis hit, with the gas price spike caused largely by the war in Ukraine. The price cap - which is set by an independent regulator to help offset costs onto customers - was set to rise to £3,549 for an average home in October but a price freeze from the government restricted the typical bill to £2,500. That's still an increase of 27% from the previous energy cap and as it's a cap on unit cost, the more energy you use the higher your bill will be.
Food prices
The cost of a weekly shop also has gone up as a result of the cost of living crisis. As a result of the war in Ukraine, a number of products including cooking oils and wheat have been disrupted. This means that several products are now considerably more expensive, driving bills up for customers.
Prices at the pumps
The average cost of petrol has also rose to unprecedented levels. Supply lines for petrol have been thrown into doubt as a result of the war in Ukraine, as Russia is a large export partner for gas, oil and fuel. In April 2022, the average price for a litre of petrol on the forecourt was 160.2p, whilst a litre of diesel would cost 170.5p. By late June 2022 the price had risen to an average of 190.9p for a litre of unleaded and 198.9p for a litre of diesel. In March 2023 the price wass on average of 147.03 in petrol and 167.04 in diesel.
Average cost of filling up a car with petrol hits £100
On 9th June 2022, the average cost of filling up a car with petrol hit £100 for the first time ever. Diesel had already hit that milestone. It comes as the cost of fuel hit a record high of one pound eighty a litre. The 2p rise was the biggest daily jump in 17 years. Prices have dropped by at least 20p per litre since the high point.