In 2024, Eurostat reported that over 6% of individuals in the EU aged 16 and older faced barriers to accessing dental care, highlighting significant disparities across member states. Greece recorded the highest rate of unmet dental care needs, with 27.1% of its population unable to receive necessary dental treatment. Other countries such as Latvia and Romania also exhibited high levels of unmet needs at 16.5% and 16.2%, respectively. Conversely, Malta, Germany, and Croatia reported minimal unmet dental care needs, with figures as low as 0.4%, reflecting significant inequalities in dental healthcare access across Europe.
A stark contrast emerged when examining the impact of socioeconomic status on dental care accessibility. Among individuals at risk of poverty, 13.7% reported unmet dental needs—more than double the 5.1% of those not at risk of poverty. Romania and Greece indicated the clearest gaps, with differences of 30.9 and 30.1 percentage points, respectively. Similar trends were found in Latvia and Portugal, where significant disparities in access linked to economic status were also observed. In contrast, countries like Germany and Malta displayed minimal discrepancies in unmet dental needs between those at risk of poverty and those who are not.
Several factors contribute to the difficulties many face in accessing dental care, with financial constraints being the most predominant issue. In fact, 23 out of the 27 EU countries identified cost as the primary barrier to accessing dental services. Countries like Spain and Italy reported that over three-quarters of their populations cited affordability issues as the main obstacle to dental care. This finding underscores the critical role that financial considerations play in determining access to healthcare in general, particularly in the realm of dental services.
However, not all countries treat financial barriers as the primary reason for unmet dental care needs. Finland and Slovenia identified long waiting lists as the foremost challenges to accessing dental services. In Czechia, both financial costs and waiting times were considered equally significant barriers. In Malta, fear emerged as a leading concern, showcasing how individual perceptions and experiences can vary widely in different contexts. This variation emphasizes the need for tailored solutions to address diverse challenges in access to dental care across the EU.
Demographic factors also influence dental care accessibility, notably age. European individuals aged 65 and older reported a higher incidence of unmet dental needs compared to their younger counterparts aged 16-44. This age group faces unique challenges, including greater financial burdens, increased travel distances to dental facilities, and longer waiting times that are not as prevalent among younger individuals. Consequently, targeting policies to address the specific needs of older adults may be essential to improve dental care access across Europe.
In summary, the findings from Eurostat underscore the substantial barriers many Europeans face in accessing dental care, particularly among populations in financial distress. While costs remain the predominant barrier, variations in reasons for unmet needs highlight the complexity of the issue across member states. Addressing these disparities requires a multi-faceted approach, considering financial, logistical, and demographic factors to ensure equitable access to dental healthcare throughout the EU. Without deliberate efforts to reduce these barriers, vulnerable populations will continue to experience significant unmet dental care needs, perpetuating health inequalities across the region.
