Seniors are skipping vital dental treatments because they can’t afford it - with declining oral health the result, new research shows.

The Australian Dental Association (ADA) findings from its annual study of 25,000 people found in the last 12 months over half (55%) of all over 65s delayed seeking dental treatment.

Affordability was the main reason, with two in three (64%) of over-65s delaying dental trips in the last year because they couldn’t afford it.

Also, nearly half (47%) of this age group reported debilitating oral issues including recent tooth or gum pain, mouth or face swelling, or a mouth infection, compared to 36% of the rest of the community.

Further, seniors make fewer trips to the dentist than the rest of the population – with 37% of seniors visiting every 2-5 years compared to 35% of other age groups, and 23% of seniors visiting every 5 years compared to 20% of other age groups.

And in a cost of living crisis, it’s not surprising that the number of people of all ages who’ve delayed has risen by nearly 20% since 2011. Dentists are doing their best to keep costs down with fees increasing much less than CPI over the past 10 years, however dentistry is a costly service to provide, as practices are effectively mini operating theatres.

“These findings provide a clear picture of what’s happening to the mouths of thousands of Australians over 65,” said ADA President Dr Chris Sanzaro. “They can’t get to the dentist regularly because they can’t afford it and so their mouths become a battleground of pain and infection management.

“Some end up in the Emergency Departments - the ADA has found that 16,000 seniors were admitted to hospital for treatment of painful dental issues in 2022-23.

“That figure is expected to rise to 22,630 by 2027-28, representing a 42% increase from an already unacceptable level. It’s a health trend that worsens by the year.”

Other key findings:

• When asked if they’d had the issue treated, 76% of over 65s said there was a barrier to treatment and cost was the main barrier to treatment for 65% of those.
• Conversely the number of people visiting the dentist more often than every 2 years, has increased by 11% in the last eight years from 2017-2024, which could relate to the financial status of some respondents.
• One in three (30%) commonly said unexpected problems that could crop up during a checkup and which may need unaffordable treatment, was another reason for staying away.

Dr Sanzaro added: “With 76% of Australians supporting the introduction of a seniors dental scheme, it clearly demonstrates the groundswell of public opinion supporting our Seniors Dental Benefits Schedule.

“If that's not clear proof that most Australians are behind the seniors’ scheme and want to see it put into action, then nothing is.”