For the past six years Simplyhealth has released a dental survey to examine people's attitudes to dental health. This year we surveyed 10,000 working adults and found that cost is continuing to force many people to put off visiting the dentist. Accessibility to dentistry has increased, but people have noticed a decline in the quality of care they receive. There's also a lack of understanding about the information that dentists can provide, and although we worry about our teeth, many of us are not giving them the care they need.

1. Simplyhealth’s
Annual Dental
Survey
2011

2. Contents
How to find an NHS dentist 3
What treatment are you entitled to on the NHS? 3
How to manage your dental costs 3
Making the most of your dental appointments 4
Introduction 5
The revival of accessible NHS dentistry 6
NHS versus private dentistry 7
Is cost still putting people off visiting the dentist? 8
What are the reasons people put off visiting the dentist? 9
How important is dental health? 11
An education gap 12
Is inflation affecting the tooth fairy? 14
About our research 15
About Simplyhealth 15
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3. How to find an NHS dentist
If you have internet access you can visit www.simplyhealth.co.uk and use our Dentist Locator to find an
NHS or private dentist in your area. All you have to do is enter your postcode and how far you’re able to
travel, and we’ll provide you with details of up to five dentists. We can’t recommend dentists, but can give
you the details of those who have chosen to register with our locator service. You can also visit
www.nhs.uk/Livewell/dentalhealth and enter your postcode to search for NHS dental practices in your
area. Alternatively, when you’re in the area where you want to find a dentist you can text ‘dentist’ to
‘64746’ for free. You’ll then receive a text message with the contact details for NHS dental practices in the
area. You can also call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
What treatment are you entitled to on the NHS?
You will be able to have all treatment provided under the NHS that your dentist feels is clinically necessary
to maintain your dental health. There are three bands of charges for NHS dental treatment. Some
treatments, such as white fillings in your back teeth, are not available on the NHS and can only be done
privately.
How to manage your dental costs
It’s important to budget for your dental appointments so you do not have to put them off. Check the cost
before you have any treatment, so you don’t have any unexpected charges. The dentist can give you a
treatment plan which will show how much your treatment will cost. You can call 0845 850 1166 or visit
www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk to get advice on how to get help with health costs.
With a health cash plan or dental plan you can claim back money towards the cost of check-ups,
treatment and emergencies, up to an annual limit. You simply pay a monthly premium and once you’ve
attended your appointment you can claim the money back, by completing a claim form and sending off
the receipt.
The total dental plan market in the UK
(covering capitation, dental insurance,
and dental cover from cash plans)
was estimated to be worth £665
million in 2009
Laing & Buisson’s Dentistry UK Market
Report 2011
3

4. Making the most of your dental appointments
Practicing dentist and Simplyhealth’s dental advisor Michael Thomas, explains how to get the most from
your dental appointments.
1
Try to make sure that you arrive in plenty of time so that you can sit down, relax,
read a magazine or have a drink. You’ll feel much better if you’re relaxed when your
appointment is due to start
2
Don’t forget your toothbrush! This means that you can clean your teeth prior to sitting
in the dental chair. Your dentist will be pleased to see a clean row of teeth with fresh
breath
3
If you have any questions regarding your visit, write these down the day before. It’s
natural to be nervous, but don’t let your nerves cause you to forget that burning
question you’ve been meaning to ask since your last visit
4
Don’t be embarrassed about asking about your teeth, gums, breath or anything else
that’s concerning you about your oral health. Your dentist can advise you on how best
to achieve your goals for your dental care
5
Why not ask your dentist what toothbrush and toothpaste are best for your teeth?
There’s a huge range of dental cleaning products available, so instead of guessing
next time you’re out shopping, choose the best product for you!
6
Don’t forget to arrange your next appointment before you leave, so it’s in your diary
and doesn’t get pushed down your list of priorities
4

5. Introduction
It is now five years since the previous Labour Government changed the dental system so that NHS
dentists were commissioned to provide a set number of courses of treatment to patients. This meant that
NHS dentists had to turn patients away once they’d met their set quota.
Now the Coalition Government has outlined plans to reform the system, to incentivise dentists to
concentrate on preventative dentistry rather than just general maintenance. It has stated its ambition
for NHS dentistry in the NHS White Paper, ‘Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS’ (July 2010). It
says it wants to: ‘introduce a new dentistry contract, with a focus on improving quality, achieving good
dental health and increasing access to NHS dentistry, and an additional focus on the oral health of
schoolchildren.’ Pilots to test the new contract are being carried out this year. The ring fencing of the
funds for dentistry in England will stop by the end of the year, and commissioning will be moved to a new
NHS Commissioning Board by 2012/13.
Changes are ahead, so it seems a good time to take stock of where dentistry in Britain is now, and
whether our attitudes towards oral health have changed. We surveyed 10,000 working adults and the
results show that many people are continuing to put off visiting the dentist, with cost remaining the
biggest preventative factor. Accessibility to dentistry has increased, but people have noticed a decline in
the quality of care they receive. There’s also a lack of understanding about the information that dentists
can provide, and although we worry about our teeth, many of us are not giving them the care they need.
This is our sixth dental survey, and where appropriate we have
referenced year on year trends.
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6. The revival of accessible NHS dentistry
It is estimated that 58% of primary care dentistry spending was
on NHS treatment in 2009/10 (£3.3 billion), with 42% on private
dentistry (£2.4 billion)
Laing & Buisson’s Dentistry UK Market Report 2011
The latest figures from Laing & Buisson estimate that spending on NHS dentistry outgrew that of the
private sector in 2009/10. Our results show that this could be because people are finding it easier to find
an NHS dentist. The number of people who say they have struggled to find an NHS dentist has dropped
by 10% to 29%. Encouragingly only 7% say they have struggled to find an NHS dentist for their children, a
drop of 17% on last year.
2008 2009 2010 2011
Have you struggled to find an NHS
23% 35% 39% 29%
dentist for you?
Have you struggled to find an
9% 24% 24% 7%
NHS dentist for your children?
The number of people struggling to find an NHS dentist in the South East jumps to 35%, with 9% saying
they have struggled to find an NHS dentist for their children. However, this is still well below the national
levels that we saw in last year’s survey.
6

7. NHS versus private dentistry
We’ve already seen that people are finding it easier to find an NHS dentist and that spending on NHS
dentistry is greater than private dentistry. When asked whether they believed private dentistry offered
better quality than the NHS, 37% said yes. There were four main reasons that were cited for this:
1. Improved treatment
2. More attention to their concerns and questions
3. They don’t feel rushed
4. Greater flexibility of appointments
However, despite 37% saying private dentistry offered better quality, a greater number of people (42%)
said they would prefer to see an NHS dentist. This indicates that cost, rather than quality could be a key
driver in people’s decision to use the NHS. This is backed up the NHS Information Centre Annual Dental
Survey 2009, which found that 63% cited affordability as the main reason for using an NHS dentist.
The Department of Health’s publication
‘NHS Dental Services in England’ (April
2010) says that all treatment that is clinically According to NICE guidelines (2004),
necessary will be provided under the NHS.
the longest interval between dental
Encouragingly 68% said they had never appointments for adults should be
had to wait for dental treatment. However,
there is a difference between NHS and
24 months
private dentists. 18% said they had to wait
for treatment at their NHS dentist, compared
to 5% who had to wait for treatment at their
private dentist.
The fact that access to NHS dentistry has improved could be masking the real story, as our results show
that quality hasn’t improved at the same pace. People may see NHS dentistry as the more affordable
option, but more than half (54%) say they’ve experienced a decline in the quality of treatment they receive.
The days of visiting the dentist every six months are fading away:
• 20% say they are not asked to visit the dentist as much
• 18% say the NHS does not cover as much as it used to
• 17% feel that they do not receive the same level of treatment (such as a scale and polish) as
they used to
Improving quality is something the present Government says it wants to address.
7

8. Is cost still putting people off visiting the dentist?
Although people are finding it easier to find an NHS dentist, which generally remain cheaper than private
dentists, cost is still the major factor that’s preventing many from attending their appointments. 40% say
they’ve put off going to the dentist because they can’t afford it. This is down slightly on last year’s 43%,
but shows that cost is still an issue.
14% say they’ve actually changed their dentist in the past three years because bills were too expensive,
showing that people will vote with their feet if cost gets out of control.
The regional results show that in the South East, South West, North East and Northern Ireland more
people have had to put off visiting the dentist due to cost. Unsurprisingly, people in Scotland and Wales
do not worry about the cost as much, as dental charges are much lower. Charges in Wales have been
frozen at 2006 levels and are Band 1 £12, Band 2 £39 and Band 3 £177. NHS dental patients in
Scotland pay 80% of the NHS dental treatment fee.
Hair Glasses
separate laye
8

9. What are the reasons people put off visiting
the dentist?
East Anglia
London
50
Scotland
Yorkshire and the Humber
40
South West
South East
30
West Midlands
North West
20
Wales
Northern Ireland
10
East Midlands
North East
0
43% of 18-24 year olds say they have put off visiting the dentist because of cost, compared to just over
a third (34%) of over 55s.
Cost is also more of a problem for women, 43% say cost has caused them to put off visiting the dentist,
compared to 35% of men.
The NHS remains considerably cheaper than private dentistry, however not all treatments (such as white
fillings in the back of teeth) are available on the NHS. Dental charges in England increased by 3% on
1 April. This has only added to the financial pressures that people face.
NHS dental prices
Dental Treatment Course up to 31 March 2011 from 1 April 2011
Band 1
£16.50 £17.00
Example: check-up
Band 2
£45.60 £47.00
Example: fillings
Band 3
£198.00 £204.00
Example: dentures and bridge work
9

10. Estimated private dental prices
Private Private
Dental Work Dental Work
Prices Prices
Dental Crown (Gold) £417 Sedated tooth removal £142
Dental Examination £43 Small tooth filling (Non white) £77
Large Tooth Filling (Non white) £101 Tooth Scale and Polish £45
Root canal £376 X-ray £28
Source: whatprice.co.uk
Fortunately the majority of people (64%) have not had a dental bill of more than £150 in the last year.
However, 16% say that they have had a bill of more than £150 and had to pay for it on a credit card.
This shows that many people are not financially prepared for the costs associated with looking after their
oral health. There are many ways that people can budget for their dentist appointments, either through a
dental insurance plan or a health cash plan. It is worrying to see that so many people have had to put off
dentist appointments because of cost, and this could be having a major impact on the nation’s
dental health.
10

11. How important is dental health?
Dental appointments are vital, not just for the general health of our teeth, but also because they uncover
other health issues such as gum disease and even mouth cancer. People do feel dental health is
important, particularly when it comes to their choice of partner, as 66% say they wouldn’t date someone
with bad teeth or bad dental health.
It seems, however that visiting the dentist may never be a popular thing to do. In fact, 41% say they’d
rather have dinner with their in laws or clean the toilet than go to the dentist. This could be why 2% say
they’ve never visited the dentist, a figure that rises to 4% for 18-24 year olds.
However, 59% say they’ve visited their dentist within the last year and 13% say they’ve visited them within
the last 18 months. 16% have visited their dentist between 18 months and five years and 10% say they
have not seen their dentist for over five years.
No matter how frequently individuals visit their dentist it’s good to see nearly three quarters (73%) do
understand that dental appointments are considered as an everyday health need. Yet, this still leaves
more than a quarter (27%) who believe it’s a luxury. There’s also a stark difference between people’s
attitudes as they get older. Younger people place far less importance on their dental health, with almost
a third (32%) of 18-24 year olds saying visiting the dentist is a luxury, not an everyday need. This may be
why only half have seen a dentist in the last year. In contrast 23% of over 55s see the dentist as a luxury,
but 71% have seen the dentist in the last year.
Viewing dentistry as a luxury can be linked to the fact that so many people are struggling to afford their
appointments. Although the majority realise the health need, it remains a luxury that they just cannot
afford.
There’s also a difference between men and women’s attitudes to the dentist. 34% of men say visiting the
dentist is a luxury compared to 23% of women.
People do worry about the impact their dental health can have on other aspects of their life. 58% feel that
their chances of career progression are affected by having good teeth. This becomes more of a concern
as people get older, 70% of over 55s feel their career could be hampered, compared to 63% of 18-24
year olds.
11

12. An education gap
Of course good dental health relies on people taking personal responsibility for their teeth. However, for
people to realise their responsibility they need to be fully informed. We found that many people were
unaware of how they should care for theirs and their children’s teeth.
The NHS says that parents can take their children to the dentist as soon as they are born, to get advice
on how to look after their dental health. However, they should definitely take them when their teeth start
to appear. 42% of parents do not know this, 26% think that they should only take their children once they
start to eat solid foods, and 16% think it should be when they have all their permanent teeth.
Fortunately 53% of children had never had a filling.
However, a worrying 11% of parents say that their child
Children should have all their was under five years old when they had their first filling.
permanent teeth (except A further 18% were under ten years old and 15% were
wisdom teeth) by the age over ten.
of 13 Toothache and dental emergencies are also forcing
parents to make unplanned visits to the dentist. 15%
British Dental Health Foundation
said they’ve had to make one unplanned visit with their
(www.dentalhealth.org 14/04/2011) child in the past five years. 9% had to make two and
7% made over three.
Taking children to the dentist as early as possible will help them get used to the surroundings, and ensure
they become aware of the importance of looking after their teeth. It can also uncover any problems early on
and prevent long term issues. The Coalition Government has said the oral health of schoolchildren will be
a particular focus for its new dental contract. It’s important that parents understand how they can help their
children look after their teeth, so they stay strong and healthy throughout their lives.
The fact that many people are not seeing their dentist as regularly means they do not regard them as
a person to go to for health information. There’s a general lack of understanding about the information
dentists can provide:
• Only 29% would think about consulting the dentist about the dental education of their children
• 34% would speak to them about identifying oral cancer
• 55% would consult them about removing wisdom teeth
• 20% say they wouldn’t ask their dentist about any of the above
12

13. Dentists can provide a wealth of information
about dental health and other health issues Mouth Cancer is diagnosed in
that can be connected to it. For instance gum
disease can increase the risk of long term 5,000 people each year in the UK
health problems such as heart disease, stroke
British Dental Health Foundation
and diabetes. Patients can talk to their dentists
(www.mouthcancer.org 14/04/2011)
about any one of these issues, and just like
a GP they can provide valuable, professional
advice.
It seems many do not fully understand how they should care for our teeth either. The British Dental Health
Foundation says that we should brush our teeth twice a day and for two minutes each time. However,
80% of people are not following the recommended guidelines. The majority of people we surveyed (33%)
said they only brush their teeth for between 31 seconds and one minute. Worst still, 9% said they only
managed between 10 and 30 seconds each time. Only 9% brush their teeth for the full two minutes.
On average how long do you brush your teeth for?
10-30 seconds
31-60 seconds
60-90 seconds
91-120 seconds
121+ seconds
13

14. Is inflation affecting the tooth fairy?
Of course many children associate losing their first teeth with the arrival of the tooth fairy. We asked how
much the tooth fairy was leaving behind in these days of austerity. In 11% of households the tooth fairy
doesn’t visit at all, but where she does 62% say the going rate for each tooth is between £1 and £3.
19% say the tooth fairy leaves anything under 50 pence, and in a fortunate 3% of households she leaves
over £5 for each tooth.
14

15. About our research
The research was conducted by OnePoll using an online fieldwork methodology. OnePoll surveyed
10,000 working adults between 8 March and 14 March 2011. It abides by the Market Research Society
(MRS) code of conduct. Based around principles of data protection legislation and research ethics, the
MRS code has the confidence of the business community, Government and regulators.
About Simplyhealth
We’ve been helping people access affordable healthcare for nearly 140 years. Our range of health cash
plans, dental plans, private medical insurance and self funded health plans help 2 million people look after
their health. 10,000 businesses also choose us as their healthcare provider.
Our Simply Dental Plan covers check-ups, treatment, accidents and emergencies. It’s designed to help
customers manage the cost of routine visits to their dentist and get insurance for the unexpected. The
Simply Cash Plan also includes a dental benefit that provides cash back for check-ups, treatment and
hygienist fees. Our health cash plans help people take personal responsibility for their everyday health.
Simplyhealth launched in 2009 after bringing together HSA, BCWA, LHF, HealthSure and Totally Active.
We believe that our personal customer service sets us apart and we go the extra mile to help. We take
the time to do things the right way and are bothered about our clients, customers and communities.
We follow mutual values and only invest our profits back into the business or give them away to health
related charities. Last year we donated £1.6m. Simplyhealth, we can be bothered.
15

16. Contact us
For more information about Simplyhealth, please visit
www.simplyhealth.co.uk
or contact us using the details below:
If you are interested in healthcare for your workforce:
call 0845 075 0063
If you are interested in healthcare for you and your family:
call 0800 072 6715
If you are an intermediary looking for healthcare options for your clients:
call 0800 294 7303
If you are interested in mobility products and daily living aids:
call 0800 048 2793
If you are a journalist looking for further information, case studies or an interview:
call 0844 579 2266
email pr@simplyhealth.co.uk
visit www.simplyhealth.co.uk/media-centre
Follow us on Twitter
@SimplyhealthUK
or visit our Facebook page
We can be bothered
Simplyhealth
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Waterloo Court
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Hampshire
SP10 1LQ
1104006
Simplyhealth is a trading name of Simplyhealth Access, registered and incorporated in
England and Wales, No.183035. Registered office: Hambleden House, Waterloo Court,
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