More people are risking severe oral health problems by cancelling or deferring dental appointments, according to research by the British Dental Association (BDA).

Commenting on the findings, Russ Piper, Chief Executive at Sovereign Health Care says that ignoring your oral health is not only unhealthy, but potentially more expensive in the long run:
“Many people are seeing regular dental checkups and non-emergency treatment as a luxury rather than a necessity, particularly if they don’t have dental health cover to help them with the costs.”

The BDA recently conducted a survey of over 250 UK dentists, with 59% stating that they had seen an increase in patients cancelling appointments. More than a third also reported an increase in demand for emergency treatment in the past twelve months, suggesting that patients who defer dental treatment are paying for it later on.

The lack of available NHS dentists has also contributed to the number of people risking oral health problems. You can search for a local NHS dentist by logging on to www.nhs.uk but even if you do find a dentist taking NHS patients, and you are in employment, it is still highly likely you will have to contribute towards the cost of check-ups and treatment. This is why more dentists are urging patients to consider a dental or health care cash plan.

It is important to weigh up all of the options available and choose the type of cover that best suits your needs. As you would expect, dental plans don’t offer cover for anything other than dental and oral related treatments, whereas health care cash plans cover a range of other treatments including optical, physiotherapy and chiropody as well as dental.

Mrs Blackburn, a Sovereign Health Care customer adds: “I considered Denplan but I didn’t really want to pay that much just for dental cover. I probably wouldn’t be able to afford to go to the dentist if I didn’t have my Sovereign Health Care Cash Plan.”

From as little as £7.80 per month, cash plan providers such as Sovereign Health Care allow you and your family to claim cash back against a range of dental healthcare treatments including fillings, check-ups, X-rays, dentures and hygienist fees plus a range of other everyday health care costs.

Russ concludes: “Although missing a check up is tempting at a time when family budgets are so tight, neglecting your oral health can increase both the complexity of the problems you face and the cost of the treatment you eventually have. Health care cash plans can be highly beneficial as they allow you to claim money back on a wide range of health care, which could enable you to seek treatment sooner.”

For more information on Sovereign Health Care’s affordable health care cash plans visit:  www.sovereignhealthcare.co.uk

Notes

• Sovereign Health Care is one of the UK’s longest established providers of health care cash plans to individuals and businesses
• A health care cash plan is an affordable alternative to PMI. Cash plans are designed to be used and pay tax free cash back on everyday health costs such as dental care and glasses
• 95% of Sovereign Health Care’s customers would recommend them to a friend."Sovereign Health Care Customers Survey"
• The Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust has donated in excess of £3.5 million to community and health related charities over the past 6 years