DENT ESTET STUDY: 4 in 10 city dwellers in Romania are missing at least one tooth

• One in ten Romanians has opted for dental implants, and the satisfaction rate following the procedure stands at 93%;
• 38% of Romanians visit the dentist less than once a year or only when necessary, with dental emergencies being the main reason for their visits;
• 39% of Romanians who have lost one or more teeth give up on the possibility of restoring the aesthetics and functionality of their smile through dental treatment.

Bucharest, 11 August 2020: 39% of Romanians who have lost one or more teeth are foregoing the opportunity to have an aesthetically pleasing and functional smile and, consequently, are, for the time being, foregoing specialist check-ups with the dentist.

The main barriers causing patients to postpone starting dental treatment or to give it up altogether are the preconception that dental implant treatment involves pain and numerous visits to the dentist’s surgery, the costs they associate with the procedure, or indifference towards the gap left by the lost tooth (it is not visible, it does not cause discomfort).

The findings come from a study conducted by DENT ESTET, the market leader in private dentistry in Romania, with the support of the research agency 360insights, with the aim of underpinning a public dental education programme and raising awareness of the importance of prevention in minimising the need for complex dental treatments. The study, conducted on a statistically representative sample of 1,000 people in medium-sized and large urban areas in Romania, analyses the attitudes and behaviour of urban Romanians regarding dental health.

According to the same study, 1 in 10 Romanians have opted for dental implants, and their satisfaction is almost complete: 93% are satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment received.

According to the results, patients visit the dentist less frequently than recommended, with the main factors being dental emergencies, lower costs and the possibility of receiving treatment within a short timeframe.

The same study reveals that when they do choose to visit the dentist, Romanians value the quality of the treatment, which they associate with the efficiency of the treatment process and the technologies available.

In an age where time is the most important resource we have, respondents identified a lack of time as another significant barrier to seeking treatment for a dental condition. Furthermore, a lack of information when it comes to choosing the best option for replacing a missing tooth is one of the main factors affecting the completion of oral rehabilitation treatment.

“When we opened the first DENT ESTET clinic, we took on a great responsibility towards our patients: to provide them with high-quality dental care, as well as to educate them on good dental hygiene habits. And today, we are faced with a Romanian patient who is better informed and has become more selective when choosing a dental clinic. We have consistently invested in cutting-edge technologies, in the development of our medical team and in the international sub-specialisation of our doctors. That is precisely why we are delighted that DENT ESTET is the first choice for patients seeking complex dental treatments.”

says Dr Oana Taban – CEO and Founder of the DENT ESTET group of clinics.

Dental implants – the solution for replacing missing teeth, valued by Romanians for their safety and durability  

The main causes of tooth loss stem from neglecting dental health through poor oral hygiene and failure to treat cavities in time.

According to the study, 1 in 10 Romanians have opted for dental implants, and their satisfaction is almost complete: 93% are satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment received.

Dental implants are the most recommended method for replacing a missing tooth. 63% of patients facing this problem receive this recommendation from their specialist. However, only 24% of them follow the doctor’s advice, due to the perception that the cost is high compared to other treatment methods, such as dental bridges.

The dental bridge is a classic, now outdated solution, previously recommended by dentists to fill the gap left by a missing tooth, provided it was situated between two healthy natural teeth.

This prosthetic procedure has one major disadvantage: it involves grinding down the adjacent healthy teeth, compromising their integrity. Furthermore, this prosthetic solution does not offer the same level of aesthetics as a dental implant.

Patients who have chosen a dental implant mention that what mattered to them was the innovative nature of this method, its strength and long-term durability, reinforced by their dentist’s recommendation. Dental implants enjoy a high satisfaction rate, with 93% of patients stating they are satisfied or very satisfied with this procedure.

“When it comes to replacing a missing tooth, the first choice is a dental implant. For example, a premium dental implant, such as Nobel Biocare, is a safe treatment solution, backed by over 30 years of clinical studies, with excellent product documentation and continuously improved for the patient’s benefit. “For us as doctors, but also for patients, it is important that these implants do exactly what they promise, even in the most complex cases,” says Dr Alexandru Georgescu, Senior Consultant in Dental Implantology and Periodontology at DENT ESTET clinics.

Dental prevention – a process with a direct impact on oral health

Dental health is linked to a preventative mindset and dental hygiene habits passed down through the family or through interaction with the Romanian healthcare system.

In urban areas, 38% of Romanians interviewed in the study are indifferent to dental problems and, as a result, have visited the dentist less than once a year.

They only go to the dentist when they are in severe pain, preferring to treat the problem themselves, and only visit the dental surgery when self-medication has failed. Conversely, they do go to the dentist when they realise they have a problem (tooth decay, plaque and tartar, toothache, root canal treatment).

The cost of dental treatment and neglect remain key factors influencing the decision to visit the dentist. 65% of Romanians would visit the dentist more often if they could benefit from more affordable prices or financial solutions for paying for treatment, alongside more efficient treatment times.

DENT ESTET offers patients premium dental implant solutions: Nobel Biocare and Straumann

Regarding the types of dental implants chosen by patients, internal statistics based on active data from DENT ESTET clinics in Bucharest and Sibiu catering to adults reveal that in 2019, compared to the previous year, there was a 44% increase in premium dental implants, with the Nobel Biocare brand seeing a 60% rise in the number of implants requested by patients over the same period.

The DENT ESTET Group is the most comprehensive dental network in Romania and comprises 10 clinics, 3 integrated digital radiology centres, the first intensive care unit within a dental clinic in Romania – staffed by a team of 14 anaesthetists – 4 Future Smile Design photography studios, 4 psychology practices and a medical management training programme. The total floor space exceeds 3,600 square metres. In 2019, DENT ESTET launched the DE Digital Implantology Masterplan, offering patients extended guarantees through access to integrated high-tech technologies, including: revolutionary laser equipment (Waterlase, Biolase), the 3Shape Trios Real Color intraoral scanner, digital guidance software (3Shape Implant Studio), the ORGF centrifuge, Future Smile Studio – a 3D diagnostic studio, a digital dental laboratory and a digital radiology laboratory.