Unaddressed dental health issues costing taxpayers millions, new report warns

A new report has highlighted the social, economic, and fiscal costs of adult oral health in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly those with poor outcomes.

The Frank Advice report also identified two key challenges, including economic losses and healthcare burden, calling to action for a universal system of free dental care.

Green Party spokesperson for Primary Health, Ricardo Menéndez March, says everyone in Aotearoa deserves access to dental care.

Green Party spokesperson for Primary Health, Ricardo Menéndez March. Photo/Green Party

”We can make this happen with a fair tax system,” March said in a statement.

“Healthcare is a human right that should be afforded to all, not just those able to pay for it. We can afford to look after one another and ensure people are not discriminated against accessing dental care due to cost.

“The current settings are costing Aotearoa well over $6.2 billion a year, more than three times what it would cost to provide free dental health care for all.

“This is why the Green Party campaigned on making dental care free for everyone. All of this and more is possible with a wealth tax.

“This report is a much-needed wake-up call and call to action for our government,” he said.

The report estimated annual economic losses due to poor oral health at $2.5b in productivity, driven by reduced work attendance and overall employability impacts.

Sick days accounted for $103 million dollars and reduction in life satisfaction or quality of life cost $3.1b, it found.

ActionStation and Dental for All campaigner Max Harris told RNZ, "We know it's creating shame, it's creating stigma, it's meaning people can't participate in society, they can't smile.

“But what this report also brings out is we're losing a lot in the economy by keeping dental out of the public health system.

“Leaving dental out of the public health system could cost even more than the numbers that have been produced in this report, but because we've tried to be responsible in those estimates, we've ended up with the numbers where we are now,” Harris told RNZ.

ActionStation and Dental for All campaigner Max Harris /Photo/Thorndon Chambers

Dental care is free for children and young people under 18 years old. For adults aged over 18 years old, they get limited dental care and are restricted to emergency and essential care.

This can lead to increased healthcare system costs, the report said.

A consequence of this public health care choice is that 44 per cent of people over 18 years old do not access dental care services because of cost, and 22.5 per cent currently self-report the condition of their teeth as ‘bad’.

This also disproportionately affects low-income individuals and marginalised groups, reinforcing social inequality.

The 2009 New Zealand Oral Health Survey showed poorer oral health and lower dental service attendance rates were found among adult men, younger adults (aged 25–34 years), Māori, Pacific people, and those living in areas of higher deprivation.

Māori adults were nearly twice as likely to be edentulous, compared to non-Māori, and faced more severe dental decay and periodontal issues, the survey revealed.

While Pacific adults had more untreated decay and missing teeth than non-Pacific adults, they also had a higher number of sound teeth.

The survey identified that cost was a significant barrier to accessing oral health care services for these groups.

The government incurs increased expenses due to emergency healthcare and welfare reliance from those unable to work due to dental-related health issues, it said.

The report indicates the need for a policy shift to provide better dental care access for adults to reduce these social, economic, and fiscal strains that are significantly impacting Māori and Pacific communities.