Millions of Aussies put oral health at risk as they skip dentist visits to save money

On any given workday, patients might be seated in Dr Monica Farrelly’s dental chair for a multitude of reasons; a routine examination, a scale and clean, an extraction, filling, or repairs to teeth damaged while playing sport.

But while good oral health is considered “fundamental” to a person’s overall wellbeing, more and more Australians are putting off important care.

One in three adults has untreated tooth decay and more than two million Australians have skipped a dentist visit due to affordability.

“People are obviously feeling the cost of living pressures so dentistry, and especially preventive dentistry, ends up being delayed,” Farrelly told 7NEWS.com.au.

“Issues that may have started off as small and relatively reversible, they might just have needed a quick clean, or a small filling, might end up becoming a lot more severe.”

Farrelly, a Sydney dentist who has practised for seven years and a health promoter for the Australian Dental Association (ADA), said regular dental visits are like trips to the mechanic for your car.

“It’s a misconception that if there’s no pain or problems, then things are tracking along OK,” Farrelly said.

A recent ADA survey revealed many of those people skipping the dentist are young Australians aged between 18 and 25; a time when they are finishing school, leaving home and coming off the family’s private health insurance.

Emily Novo was brushing her teeth before bed earlier this year when she felt a slight pain. Waking the next day, she could not eat or talk.

“I thought I had a really extreme case of lockjaw, which I’ve never experienced before,” Novo told 7NEWS.com.au.

Unable to open her mouth, she decided to work from home but by lunchtime knew she needed help.

A trusted GP sent her to the emergency department where an abscess was found between her wisdom tooth and gum.

Novo was put on antibiotics and could only eat soup for a week before the infection cleared.

“After talking to dentists I found out it’s a pretty common issue I easily could have avoided if I just got a regular clean from a dentist,” she said.

Novo said she knows the importance of oral care. But, like many Australians, the Sydney university student is no longer on her parents’ health plan and has put off going to the dentist due to costs.

“Since I’ve moved out of home, I’m paying rent, have gone back into study,” she said.

“I now live in the city and who really has a spare $300 to $500 to just get a clean, essentially.”

‘Instagram teeth’ and other trends

Also highlighted from the ADA survey is that six in 10 young Australians had experienced pain, swelling, infection or discomfort from wisdom teeth.

Almost 40 per cent of young Australians do not wear a mouthguard while playing contact and high impact sports, despite many sporting injuries being “entirely preventable”.

And 60 per cent of respondents said social media had influenced them to look into cosmetic procedures, including whitening, veneers, and aligners.

Farrelly said there had been particular interest in “Instagram teeth” or the “social six”, the front upper teeth seen mostly during a smile .

“We live in a very digital age where people, as soon as they open their phone, they’re exposed to people’s faces,” Farrelly said.

“So I think there’s a lot more emphasis on teeth and the mouth, as sort of being part of social standing.

“Previous to social media, we probably didn’t live in a world where we’re looking at ourselves that much ... but now we have so much exposure to ‘beauty’, and teeth play a pivotal role.”

The association warned professional advice should be sought before going ahead with any treatment because “poorly informed decisions can permanently impact teeth and gums”.

National Oral Health Plan

ADA president Dr Chris Sanzaro said there is excitement about a new national oral health group being set up to support progression of a fresh National Oral Health Plan.

“This is a significant moment for oral health in Australia,” Sanzaro said.

“For too long, dental has sat outside the national health reform conversation, even though it’s one of the most common reasons people avoid care because of cost.

“The establishment of this senior officials group shows government is finally treating dental as the national priority it should be, and the ADA will be at the table making sure the plan delivers real change.” 

Health Minister Mark Butler’s office said the plan is expected to be finalised before the end of 2026 and is being put together with states, territories and other key stakeholders, including the dental sector.

“The new plan will guide national efforts over the next decade and set out goals to improve oral health outcomes and reduce disparities across the population,” a spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au.

“Finalisation is subject to intergovernmental approval and endorsement processes.”