A new survey has found that many people bypassing regular check-ups require emergency dentistry.
One in 50 people who are unable to visit the dentist require extreme procedures, according to new research.
SimplyHealth’s Annual Dental Survey 2010 revealed that 43 per cent of respondents have been put off visiting dental health specialists in the past 12 months because of financial constraints.
Two per cent of this group require emergency dentistry to treat complaints such as rotten or decaying teeth.
In addition, the poll discovered that 63 per cent of the people questioned have struggled to find an NHS dentist for themselves or their children.
James Glover, spokesman for the insurance provider SimplyHealth, described these results as troubling.
He said: “It’s extremely worrying that people are going to these lengths to pay for their dental treatment and that others are delaying to the point of pain and long-term damage.”
SimplyHealth’s survey also revealed that the majority of companies believe that dental benefits reduce sickness at work.