People who report avoiding or delaying visiting a dental practitioner in the last 12 months

KPI 16: Proportion of people who report avoiding or delaying visiting a dental practitioner in the last 12 months

People may avoid or delay visiting a dental practitioner for a variety of reasons, including cost, fear or because of difficulties accessing services.

In 2018–19, around 3 in 10 adults (28%) aged 15 years and over avoided or delayed visiting a dental practitioner. Nearly 1 in 6 (18%) avoided or delayed visiting a dental practitioner due to cost. The proportion of adults avoiding or delaying visiting a dental practitioner has decreased over time from 33% in 2014–15, with those avoiding or delaying due to cost also decreasing from 20%.

In 2018–19, more adults aged 25–34 years avoided or delayed visiting a dental practitioner than any other age group (37%).

Explore the data using the interactive below:

KPI 16 interactive: Proportion of people who avoided or delayed visiting a dental practitioner in the last 12 months

This figure shows the proportion of people who avoided or delayed visiting a dental practitioner in the last 12 months, and whether or not cost was a reason. Data is presented by age groups for the period 2014-15 to 2018-19. In 2018–19, 28% of people aged 15 years and over avoided or delayed visiting a dental practitioner.

Data tables available for download.

More information about dental visiting patterns.