Dental care is too expensive in the UAE and should be included as part of overall health insurance, according to a survey commissioned by global medical device company Align Technology.
The YouGov survey revealed that, in the past 12 months, 55 percent of respondents from the UAE did not receive dental care when they needed it, with costs the leading barrier.
This is despite 71 percent in the region reporting that they experienced a problem with their teeth or gums over the past year.
Affordability, cited by nearly two-thirds (62 percent) of respondents, and dental not being included within health insurance, referred to by more than half (52 percent), were the top reasons for consumers feeling they were not receiving sufficient dental care.
The majority (85 percent) also said they would consult an oral health professional if their health insurance covered the visit.
The survey revealed that only one third had dental care included within their current health insurance. Of those with dental included, 47 percent are covered for AED3,000 or less, and just 20 percent – one in five – can claim a cover of AED5,000 per annum.
Markus Sebastian, SVP and MD of Align Technology EMEA, said: “As a nation with great healthcare standards, the UAE can play a crucial role in raising the bar through wider access to dental care. This is particularly important, given the survey’s key finding that including dental care as part of health insurance could help more people benefit from timely care.”
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