At least half of the population have skipped dental appointments in the past year, concerning new data reveals.

Data from Medibank found about 50 per cent of Australians aged 15 or older didn’t visit a dentist in 2022.

CEO of the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch, Matt Hopcraft, says two factors are at play.

Press PLAY below to hear why fewer people are visiting the dentist

“Prevention is the most important thing, so if you go regularly we’re able to identify things early, we’re able to prevent problems from becoming much more significant and then potentially more painful and potentially more costly,” he told Ross and Russel.

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