New UK wide research from Haleon suggests that fear of dental costs and limited access to care are pushing many people to delay treatment, driving a shift from prevention to pain driven intervention. The findings highlight trends that are increasingly relevant to Northern Ireland, where access to routine dental appointments remains under pressure.
Across the UK, 25% of adults delay visiting the dentist because of cost concerns, while 18% avoid appointments due to anxiety. Nearly 8% believe dental problems will resolve without professional treatment. The result is that many patients only seek care once pain forces action.
For Northern Ireland, where NHS dental services continue to face workforce and funding challenges, the pattern of delayed care risks further widening inequalities in oral health.
Access and Cost Pressures
Haleon’s consumer research shows that more than 25% of adults say they are registered with a dentist but unable to secure an appointment. A further 13% report being unable to register locally at all.
Cost concerns reinforce this behaviour. 25% of adults delay visits due to worries about price, while 31% say they would seek care sooner if costs were lower or clearer.
Economist Impact analysis, through its Health Inclusivity Index, estimates that untreated tooth decay carries a £18.9 billion lifetime economic cost across the UK, with lower income groups facing 41% higher lifetime dental costs than those on the highest incomes. Those just outside eligibility for subsidised care often experience the greatest financial strain despite being among those who would benefit most from preventative support.
Prevention and Professional Trust
Despite barriers, dentists remain the most trusted source of oral health information. 51% of adults rely on their dentist for guidance, compared with 20% who turn to social media and 16% who use AI tools or chatbots.
Jo Cooper, General Manager UK and Ireland at Haleon, said:
“Tooth decay is largely preventable, but prevention only works when people can act early and consistently. This research shows that too many people cannot get appointments, are worried about costs, or wait until pain forces action.
We aim to make prevention simple, providing consumers with the information and trusted products they need to achieve better everyday health. Haleon works closely with healthcare professionals and policymakers to advocate for the importance of preventative oral care.”
Wider Impact
The consequences extend beyond oral health. Economist Impact estimates that tooth decay leads to 32 million lost working hours each year across the UK, costing £605 million annually in lost productivity.
For Northern Ireland, the research reinforces the importance of early intervention, clear communication around costs, and improved access to preventative services to reduce long term health inequalities and system pressure.