Why are less people visiting the dentist?
In 2015, health chiefs warned of limited access to NHS dentists, with half of UK adults admitting to not visiting a dentist for two years. Fast forward to 2018 and surely our dental health is in a better state?
Well, whilst we’d happily admit that our patients are enjoying fantastic quality dental care and gentle reminders to attend on a regular basis for check-ups, the same cannot always be said across the board.
Distance
Just this month, a survey from the British Dental Association (BDA) revealed that some patients were having to travel 70 miles to see an NHS dentist – reasonable grounds, we believe, for not being able to keep an appointment. With this lack of available NHS professionals, those who cannot afford private health care, may be forced to compromise on their oral health.
Age
Then there are the elderly people who are struggling to visit the dentist, perhaps because of their general state of health or the fact they cannot physically get there, or because they are afraid of the dentist and probably have been their entire life. Whatever the reason, there is certainly more that we can be doing as dentists to reassure patients and encourage them to stick to appointments where possible.
Dependency
Parents of young children may also be at fault, for not taking their children to the dentist on a regular basis. According to figures from National Smile Month, around 40% of children don’t visit the dentist regularly. Not only does this mean that they could run into expensive and complicated dental problems such as decay and gum disease in the future, but they are also not getting into the vital habit of visiting the dentist regularly and learning about good oral health.
What we can do here at JDRM Dental Care
One of the biggest ways in which we can encourage our patients to visit us regularly is to provide a relaxing, welcoming and comfortable environment in which we are open and honest about treatments and prices and happy to answer any questions.
From our welcoming exterior, through to our relaxing waiting room and state of the art clinic, our compassionate team are here to help make your visit a pleasant one.
Take a look at what some of our patients have to say about their experience here at our dental practice:
“I found staff extremely friendly and caring which made going to the dentist a very enjoyable experience!”
“I have always been accommodated and nothing has ever been too much trouble!”
For patients who are nervous about visiting the dentist, we offer a relaxing, friendly environment and will always be understanding about your concerns, using calming techniques to ease your fears and ensure that you can still benefit from great oral health care and vital treatments.
New patients
We are currently accepting new patients and would be delighted if you could join us. Even if you haven’t visited the dentist in a while, there is no time like the present to get your oral health back in great shape.
Please click here to sign up as a new patient or to contact us about your appointment or treatment.
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