Overcoming common obstacles to dental care

Most people don’t like going to see the dentist. Some are apprehensive of potential pain or discomfort; others can’t seem to fit an appointment into their busy schedule.

In more extreme cases, individuals delay dental care due to severe anxiety. Dental anxiety or dental phobia affects an estimated 15 percent of patients who, when faced with the reality of a dental appointment, may experience signs and symptoms such as

·      Sweating

·      Racing heartbeat (tachycardia) or palpitations

·      Low blood pressure and possible fainting (syncope)

·      Visible distress, crying or signs of panic 

·      Withdrawal, or using humour or aggression to mask anxiety

 There are, of course, other reasons individuals defer dental care. Perhaps this is the reason residents of Australians are significantly less likely to visit the dentist each year than people in Canada, the United Kingdom and a range of comparable countries.

Consequences of Poor Dental Care

Although this might not sound like an overtly serious issue, avoiding professional dental care results in a lack of preventive care. Regular dental check-ups help both children and adults avoid cavities, gum disease and more while helping dentists find any problems earlier, thereby typically resulting in less need for invasive treatments.

About two million Australians annually defer visits to a dentist. High sugar diets, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption by Aussies all increase the risk of tooth decay, periodontal disease, oral infections, oral cancer and other oral conditions. More than 70 percent of children in Australia consume too much sugar, and experience common dental problems, including tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease.

Fear of High Costs

One of the biggest hurdles Australians cite for avoiding care for their pearly whites is the fear of high costs. A report by the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare (AIHW) found that more than 50 percent of Australians without dental care health insurance are postponing or skipping treatment because of the cost, and one-quarter of the 12.3 million people who have dental insurance have delayed or avoided the dentist because of the out-of-pocket fees.

After medication expenses, dental care costs are an Australian individual’s next largest health expense. Low-income populations of all ages experience the lowest access to dental care and are more likely to have periodontal disease, untreated tooth decay or missing teeth.

In Australia, there is a lack of government funding sufficient for a good public dental care system. Residents contribute more than half of the non-government funding for healthcare, and almost half of Australians buy complementary and supplementary coverage for private hospital care, dental treatment and other healthcare services.

Along with fear of high cost and dental anxiety, poor oral health literacy is a sizable factor in Australians not procuring dental care. Defined as degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate oral health decisions, health literacy has been found to be a strong predictor of an individuals’ health and health behaviour and outcomes.

Limited health literacy is associated with poor self-ratings of health and adherence to medical instructions, a lack of self-management skills, increased mortality risks, poor health outcomes and higher healthcare costs. People with poor oral health literacy are more likely to have missed dental appointments.

Other common barriers to dental care consist of low socioeconomic status; a lack of professional training regarding current evidence-based oral health guidelines; deficient continuity of care due to inadequate interdisciplinary collaboration; and patient perceptions and misconceptions about preventive dental care. In rural communities, obstacles to oral healthcare include lack of transportation or childcare, cultural barriers and stigma and insufficient access to water fluoridation.

Recommendations for Overcoming These Obstacles

Dentists and other dental professionals play an important role in helping Australians overcome any dental care barriers they face. The must clearly communicate with patients and educate them on the importance of prevention, especially for children. Whether it’s developing and implementing community-based oral health prevention and promotion programs or providing information on an appropriate nutritional diet, smoking cessation, community water fluoridation or recommended daily dental care practices, dentists have a responsibility to increase patient awareness of the importance of oral health to overall health and well-being.

To help Australians reduce their fear of high costs associated with medical care, the government’s free transparency website, Medical Costs Finder, helps them understand the cost of common medical procedures provided by specialists. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) also developed a free comparator website for the dental component of extras policies.

At AirSmile, our free service enables patients to compare dentists and receive instant quotes on routine and specific treatments, thereby eliminating surprise medical bills. It provides them with an unbiased platform to assist with access to affordable dental care. AirSmile dentists across Australia are committed to providing high-quality and transparent dental care, an important asset for consumers looking to receive good service and get great value.

If you’re one of the 15 percent of patients who experience dental phobia, here are a few suggestions to help:

1. Speak up: If you're tense or anxious, do yourself a favour and get your concerns off your chest. Your dentist and dental team are better able to treat you if they know your needs. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and talk with your dentist about pain before it starts so your dentist knows how to communicate with you and make it more comfortable. There are all sorts of solutions that can be discussed - from IV sedation right through to just choosing the right dentist in the practice for you. So give your local dentist a call and see what they can offer.
2. Distract yourself: Taking your mind off the exam may seem impossible when you’re nervous, but there are some things that that can help distract your thoughts. Wear headphones so you can listen to your favourite music or audiobook, or occupy your hands by squeezing a stress ball or playing with a small handheld object. Also, try imagining your happy place and visualizing yourself at a relaxing beach or garden. 
3. Use mindfulness techniques: Try deep breathing exercises to help relax tension in your muscles. Count your breaths. Inhale slowly and then exhale for the same number of counts. Do this five times while you’re waiting for your appointment or during breaks while you’re sitting in the dental chair. Or, do a body scan. Concentrate on relaxing your muscles, one body part at a time. Start with your head, and work your way down to your toes.

AirSmile: An Easy Way to Access Affordable Dental Care

AirSmile is a digital dental marketplace created to help Australians more easily take control of their oral health. Our primary goal is to make quality dental care accessible, and we want to eliminate any barriers that hold individuals back from having the healthy smile they deserve.

We know that Australians must be educated about the importance of routine dental care and the problems that often arise when it is neglected. Free to use,, the AirSmile platform gives patients access to a large network of dentists while giving them enough time to digest and accept costs. For dentists, it helps to bring in more patients interested in routine care and specific treatments.

Search AirSmile now to ensure you find the right dentist for your oral healthcare needs. View our list of FAQs to learn more about us and how our platform works.