Over a third of Gen Z would resort to ‘DIY’ dentistry due to a lack of access to a dentist

Shockingly, 16 – 24-year-olds are feeling the most pressure to resort to such extreme measures, compared to just 12 per cent of respondents over the age of 55. Experts are calling for the government to prioritise putting prevention at the heart of dental care.

Launching on March 14, 2022, the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programme’s Oral Health Index has revealed that respondents overwhelmingly want the government to do more to support the dental profession. Over three-quarters (77 per cent) of people surveyed agreed that the government could do more to promote oral health – with only four per cent disagreeing.

Recent NHS dentistry statistics revealed a 9.5 per cent decrease in adults being seen for NHS dental treatment in the 24 months up to June 2022 from the previous year, and a 25 per cent reduction in the 24 months up to June 2019.

The real-life impact of this has been reflected in the Index. Sixty-eight per cent of those surveyed agreed that there is a crisis in the provision of dental services, and over half (54 per cent) agree there is a postcode lottery when it comes to accessing dental services. A recent House of Commons briefing paper on dentistry evidenced this, revealing that dental schools are unevenly distributed across the country and places like the East of England have none.