High costs prevent Saudis from visiting a dentist on a regular basis Most Saudis rather endure tooth-pain than visit a dentist. The report, which is based on a survey, has revealed some alarming statistics on the region's approach to oral health. Around 43 percent of the respondents in the Kingdom consider the high cost as the biggest barrier that prevents them for regular dental visits. According to the study 56 percent of Saudis said that they would only visit a dentist in an emergency. Almost half of the respondents from the Kingdom have revealed that they suffer from some form of pain when it comes to their teeth, with 59 percent of Saudis reporting up to four cavities. Some key dental issues cited by Saudis were bad breath, sensitivity and bleeding gums. Commenting on the data, Dr. Essa Nabeel Al-Essa, Managing Director of Asnan Tower, the biggest dental centre in the Middle East, said: “People often think all dental treatments are expensive, which is not true. For example, a cavity filling is a small procedure and thus cheaper. But if a cavity is left untreated it can lead to a root canal, which is more complicated and costs more. The best way to save money is to have regular dental check-ups, and treat problems before they develop into serious conditions.” “These findings indicate that cost is the main reason people shy away from regular dental visits. In keeping with Oral-B and Crest's mission to elevate the region's oral-health, we have decided to further extend our free dental check-up campaign for another year, this time with a focus on offering the check-ups at more convenient locations such as hypermarkets. This way people don't have to go out of their way for check-ups, we bring the service to them, for free,” said Mohammed Ali Faruqi, Brand Manager of Oral Care in the Arabian Peninsula. Furthermore, the survey also shed light on how current lifestyle and oral hygiene practices will affect the kingdom's future oral-health. According to the report, most Saudis consume fizzy drinks and sugary foods on a daily basis. Results on hygiene practices indicate that majority surveyed brushed their teeth only once a day for one minute or less, instead of the recommended two minutes, twice a day. “Consumption of fizzy drinks and sugars on a daily basis becomes a concern when coupled with sub-par oral hygiene practices. Given the high incidence of cavities and bleeding gums, the aggravated problems can cause tooth loss and gum diseases in the future, if they neglect their oral-health today,” said Dr Essa. “We need to start changing our attitude toward oral-health. Oral-health is not separate from overall health. In fact, oral health is often associated with other conditions, including stroke, heart disease and diabetes. We must maintain a healthy mouth to enjoy overall health and well-being,” added Dr Esssa. The survey report calls on the community to get educated on the state of their personal oral-health and of their families. – SG
