A survey from HSA health insurance has revealed that 1 in 5 (25%) of UK adults have put off visiting the dentist because of concerns about the cost.

The Annual Dental Survey 2008 questioned nearly a thousand consumers and found that over a quarter of adults consider looking after their oral health unaffordable.

Richard Halley, a spokesperson for HSA, commented... "Our results come shortly after the NHS has revealed that half a million fewer adults are visiting the now dentist than two years ago*. This could be down to cost, and also difficulty in accessing an NHS dentist. Indeed 27% of those surveyed claim that they have struggled to find an NHS dentist."

If affordability is a concern people could consider taking out HSA dental insurance. Plans starts from as little as £2.25 a week and provide the peace of mind you are covered for check-ups, treatment and emergencies, whether for an NHS or private dentist".

HSA's survey also discovered the following key points:-

• Over two fifths of people think NHS dentistry will disappear altogether in the future whilst 28% think it will exist in the future, but will only be available to a few
• Of those surveyed, 35% believe they could do more to look after their oral health
• Just 27% thought that the Government is doing enough to look after the oral health of children

Healthplans or cash plans can be simple and affordable ways to fund the cost of dental treatment and check-ups. They provide the reassurance that you can access healthcare when you need it, not when you can afford it. You can find a list of popular providers in the dental insurance company index.