Irish Dental Association Public Entitlements to Dental Care

Irish Dental Association Public Entitlements to Dental Care National Survey November 2012 Prepared for: Prepared by John O’Mahony J. 4255

Research Background & Objectives l The Irish Dental Association required a face to face omnibus survey to be conducted on public entitlements to dental care. l This study builds on the findings of a similar study conducted in 2010. l The national survey was conducted on the Behaviour & Attitudes Barometer survey. l Each Barometer survey is based on a nationally representative quota sample of 1, 000 adults (aged 16 years and over) with a fresh sample used for each fortnightly survey. v All interviewing is carried out face-to-face in respondents’ homes and care is taken to ensure that the overall interview length does not exceed 25 -30 minutes duration. v The interview is syndicated (i. e. multi-topic) but each section is confidential to its commissioning client (and therefore there are no conflicting sections on each survey). v Interviewing is conducted across 63 separate sampling points per survey and all aspects of this Barometer survey are identical to using a bespoke, ad hoc survey approach. 2

Research Background & Objectives v Within each sampling point, respondents are selected on the basis of quota controls relating to gender, age and social class within region – to ensure that the resultant sample is a microcosm of the national adult population. Quota controls are based on the most recent Census statistics of the national population. v All interviewing is conducted by fully trained and experienced members of the Behaviour & Attitudes field-force, who work under direct supervision and are subject to rigorous quality controls (personal, postal and telephone checks). All aspects of our Barometer survey operate to the guideline standards established by the company’s membership of the MRS and ESOMAR (the international industry representative body). l Survey interviewing took place between 7 th and 21 st November, 2012. 3

Dental Entitlements 4

Dental Entitlements Base: All Adults – 1, 004 (pop. 3, 591, 000) I hold a Medical Card I avail of PRSI dental entitlements I always receive private dental treatment % % % Yes No Q. 1 Which, if any, of the following apply to you personally? 5

Dental Entitlements Base: All Adults – 1, 004 (pop. 3, 591, 000) Total Gender Age Social Class Region Male Female -24 25 -34 35 -49 50 -64 65+ ABC 1 C 2 DE F Dublin Leins Muns Conn/ Uls 1, 004 499 505 150 192 278 214 143 474 458 72 284 256 288 176 % % % % Hold a medical card 45 41 49 37 38 43 38 76 27 60 36 34 45 51 52 Avail of PRSI dental entitlements 32 31 33 14 41 42 30 22 37 31 17 32 29 32 36 Always receive private dental treatment 59 58 60 56 58 62 65 50 74 48 60 69 64 46 56 Base Q. 1 Which, if any, of the following apply to you personally? 6

Impact of Restrictions to Dental Benefits 7

Have restrictions to dental benefits caused postponement of dental treatment in past year? Avail of PRSI dental/private dental Base: 714 % Yes Medical Card Holders Base: 429 % (648, 000 pop. est. ) ANY Base: 930 % (472, 000 pop. est. ) (944, 000 pop. est. ) No Q. 2 a Q. 3 a Have these restrictions to PRSI dental benefits caused you to postpone any dental treatment in the past year? Have these restrictions in the medical card dental scheme caused you to postpone any dental treatment in the past year? 8

Have restrictions to dental benefits caused postponements of dental treatments in past year? Avail of PRSI Dental/Private Dental Base Yes Gender Age Base Yes Q. 2 a Q. 3 a Region Total Male Female -24 25 -34 35 -49 50 -64 65+ ABC 1 C 2 DE F Dublin Leins Muns Conn/ Uls 714 347 367 94 141 220 159 85 384 288 42 224 192 177 121 % % % % 26 24 28 17 29 34 27 6 23 30 14 21 28 27 30 Gender Medical Card Holders Social Class Age Social Class Region Total Male Female -24 25 -34 35 -49 50 -64 65+ ABC 1 C 2 DE F Dublin Leins Muns Conn/ Uls 429 197 232 54 69 107 78 105 132 269 28 88 117 137 87 % % % % 29 25 33 34 30 35 37 14 29 31 15 20 27 37 31 Have these restrictions to PRSI dental benefits caused you to postpone any dental treatment in the past year? Have these restrictions in the medical card dental scheme caused you to postpone any dental treatment in the past year? 9

Missing time from work or school in past year with a dental problem Avail of PRSI dental/ private dental - And postponed dental treatment past year Base: 184 Medical Card Holders - And postponed dental treatment past year Base: 138 ANY -Postponed dental treatment past year Base: 274 % % % Yes (134, 000 pop. est. ) (123, 000 pop. est. ) (223, 000 pop. est. ) No Q. 2 b Q. 3 b Have you, your partner or any member of your family, missed any time from work or school in the past year with a dental problem? 10

Restrictions to dental benefits Impact on future frequency of visits to Dentists AVAIL OF PRSI DENTAL/PRIVATE DENTAL 2012 % Yes, I will visit less frequently 2010 % MEDICAL CARD HOLDERS ANY 2012 % 2010 % (1. 1 m pop. est. ) Yes, I will visit more frequently No effect/no change There has been a sharp rise in medical card holders who intend to reduce their future dental visit frequency due to restrictions in dental benefits. Q. 2 c Q. 3 c Looking to the future, would you expect these restrictions in PRSI dental benefits to affect your frequency of visiting a dentist from now on? Looking to the future, would you expect these restrictions in the medical card dental scheme to affect your frequency of visiting a dentist from now on? 11

Restrictions to dental benefits Impact on future frequency of visits to Dentists Avail of PRSI Dental/Private Dental Base Yes I will visit less frequently Gender Age Base Yes I will visit less frequently Q. 2 c Q. 3 c Region Total Male Female -24 25 -34 35 -49 50 -64 65+ ABC 1 C 2 DE F Dublin Leins Muns Conn/ Uls 714 347 367 94 141 220 159 85 384 288 42 224 192 177 121 % % % % 30 29 32 24 41 36 25 11 29 35 3 26 29 36 32 Gender Medical Card Holders Social Class Age Social Class Region Total Male Female -24 25 -34 35 -49 50 -64 65+ ABC 1 C 2 DE F Dublin Leins Muns Conn/ Uls 429 197 232 54 69 107 78 105 132 269 28 88 117 137 87 % % % % 38 34 40 45 44 47 38 18 37 40 13 31 30 48 38 Looking to the future, would you expect these restrictions in PRSI dental benefits to affect your frequency of visiting a dentist from now on? Looking to the future, would you expect these restrictions in the medical card dental scheme to affect your frequency of visiting a dentist from now on? 12

Restrictions to Dental Benefits - Summary Impact 13

Restrictions to Dental Benefits – Summary Impact Avail of PRSI Dental Benefits/Private Dental 30% (759, 000 pop. est. ) expect to visit the dentist less frequently from now on due to restrictions. 26% (648, 000 pop. est. ) have postponed dental treatments in past year due to restrictions. 21% of ‘Postponers’ or a member of their family, have missed time from work or school in past year with a dental problem (134, 000 pop. est. ). Medical Card Holders 38% (604, 000 pop. est. ) expect to visit the dentist less frequently from now on due to restrictions. 29% (472, 000 pop. est. ) have postponed dental treatments in past year due to restrictions. 26% of ‘Postponers’ or a member of their family, have missed time from work or school in past year with a dental problem (123, 000 pop. est. ). 14

Restrictions to Dental Benefits – Summary Impact All Adults with Medical Card or Availing of PRSI Dental Benefits/Private Dental Care 33% (1. 1 m pop. est) expect to visit the dentist less frequently from now on due to restrictions. 29% (944, 000 pop. est. ) have postponed dental treatments in past year due to restrictions. 24% of ‘Postponers’ or a member of their family, have missed time from work or school in past year with a dental problem (223, 000 pop. est. ). 15

Thank you 16