Priced out of the dentist’s chair: Older Australians forced to delay vital dental care

A growing number of older Australians are being forced to forgo essential dental treatments—not by choice, but because they simply can’t afford them.

This financial strain is leading to a worrying decline in oral health among seniors, according to new data from the Australian Dental Association (ADA).

Findings from the ADA’s annual survey of 25,000 people reveal that more than half (55 per cent) of Australians aged over 65 have delayed visiting the dentist. The top reason? Affordability. Two in three older adults (64 per cent) admitted to putting off dental appointments in the past year due to cost.

The consequences are showing up in painful ways. Nearly half (47 per cent) of seniors reported experiencing significant oral health problems such as tooth or gum pain, facial swelling, or infections—compared to just 36 per cent of the general population.

Since 2011, the number of Australians of all ages delaying dental care has increased by nearly 20 per cent and while dentists have worked to keep costs down—dental fees have risen at a slower rate than the Consumer Price Index over the past decade—dentistry remains an expensive service to deliver.

“These findings provide a clear picture of what’s happening to the mouths of thousands of Australians over 65,” 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.”

While the cost of care remains a major barrier, older adults can take meaningful steps at home to protect their oral health and help avoid complications.

When it comes to maintaining good oral health in your later years, Advisory Services Manager, Engagement & Advocacy Executive, Dr Sarah Raphael from the Australian Dental Association NSW Branch suggests keeping things simple at the bathroom sink.

“It’s the good old basic things – performing oral hygiene twice daily – toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning dentures and leaving them out at night, eating a diet low in added sugar, drinking tap water as the main drink and staying well hydrated (have a water bottle available at all times),” Raphael said.

Furthermore, Raphael underscores the significance of preventive measures over treatment, recommending regular dental check-ups to address potential issues before they escalate.

“Ensuring that they have regular preventive dental visits in their senior years is the best way to avoid these consequences,” she said.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.