Dental is the most-skipped treatment in the country: why it rarely pays off
Key takeaways
- Among Australians who went without medical care in the past year due to cost, 60% put off going to the dentist.
- Interestingly, dental was also the treatment Australians claim on most (63%) through their private health insurance.
- HBF was named Australia's top-rated fund for dental cover in the 2026 Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards, winning 5 of 8 dental categories.
New research from Finder's 2026 Health Report shows dental care is the first thing Australians cut when money gets tight.
Nearly a quarter of Australian adults (23%) went without some form of medical treatment in the past 12 months because of cost.
Of those, 60% put off the dentist, making it the single most-skipped treatment, ahead of GP visits (43%) and physiotherapy (27%).
It's a worrying trend, as skipping dental care rarely makes the problem go away.
A postponed check-up can turn a small, cheap fix into a painful and expensive one, exactly the kind of bill a stretched budget can least afford.
Among the Aussies who held private health insurance, the report found dental was the most-claimed extra by a wide margin, with 63% of Aussies having claimed on it, followed by optical (50%) and physiotherapy (19%).
In other words, Aussies with extras cover are getting real value out of their dental benefits, while those without are skipping care altogether.
The top-rated funds for dental in 2026
If you are considering private health insurance to help lower the cost of your next dentist appointment, you might be wondering where to start.
We've just unveiled the winners of our 2026 Finder Health Insurance Customer Satisfaction Awards, where everyday Aussies tell us which health insurers are worth their weight in gold.
For dental cover, HBF was a standout, named Australia's most loved and most trusted fund for dental cover, as well as top for value and legendary service.
Australian Unity won in the Easiest to Claim category for dental while AAMI was the most recommended health insurer for dental care and nib received an award for dental quality.
Considering private health cover?
Find the right policy for you
Ask a question