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

2. 2 Research Background & Objectives The Irish Dental Association required a face to face omnibus survey to be conducted on public entitlements to dental care. This study builds on the findings of a similar study conducted in 2010. The national survey was conducted on the Behaviour & Attitudes Barometer survey. 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.  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.  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).  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.

3. 3 Research Background & Objectives  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.  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). Survey interviewing took place between 7 th and 21st November, 2012.

4. 4 Dental Entitlements

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

6. 6 Dental Entitlements Base: All Adults – 1,004 (pop. 3,591,000) Total GenderAgeSocial ClassRegion MaleFemale-2425-3435-4950-6465+ABC1C2DEFDublinLeinsMuns Conn/ Uls Base1,00449950515019227821414347445872284256288176 %%%%%%%% Hold a medical card454149373843387627603634455152 Avail of PRSI dental entitlements 323133144142302237311732293236 Always receive private dental treatment 595860565862655074486069644656 Q.1Which, if any, of the following apply to you personally?

7. 7 Impact of Restrictions to Dental Benefits

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

9. 9 Have restrictions to dental benefits caused postponements of dental treatments in past year? Avail of PRSI Dental/Private Dental Total GenderAgeSocial ClassRegion MaleFemale-2425-3435-4950-6465+ABC1C2DEFDublinLeinsMuns Conn/ Uls Base714347367941412201598538428842224192177121 %%%%%%%% Yes26242817293427623301421282730 Medical Card Holders Total GenderAgeSocial ClassRegion MaleFemale-2425-3435-4950-6465+ABC1C2DEFDublinLeinsMuns Conn/ Uls Base429197232546910778105132269288811713787 %%%%%%%% Yes292533343035371429311520273731 Q.2aHave these restrictions to PRSI dental benefits caused you to postpone any dental treatment in the past year? Q.3aHave these restrictions in the medical card dental scheme caused you to postpone any dental treatment in the past year?

10. 10 Missing time from work or school in past year with a dental problem Yes No Q.2bHave you, your partner or any member of your family, missed any time from work or school in the past year with a dental problem? Q.3bHave you, your partner or any member of your family, missed any time from work or school in the 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 (134,000 pop. est.) (123,000 pop. est.) (223,000 pop. est.)

11. 11 Restrictions to dental benefits Impact on future frequency of visits to Dentists Yes, I will visit less frequently Yes, I will visit more frequently No effect/no change Q.2cLooking to the future, would you expect these restrictions in PRSI dental benefits to affect your frequency of visiting a dentist from now on? Q.3cLooking 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? (1.1m pop. est.) AVAIL OF PRSI DENTAL/PRIVATE DENTAL MEDICAL CARD HOLDERS ANY 20122010201220102012 %%% 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.

12. 12 Restrictions to dental benefits Impact on future frequency of visits to Dentists Avail of PRSI Dental/Private Dental Total GenderAgeSocial ClassRegion MaleFemale-2425-3435-4950-6465+ABC1C2DEFDublinLeinsMuns Conn/ Uls Base 714347367941412201598538428842224192177121 %%%%%%%% Yes I will visit less frequently 30293224413625112935326293632 Medical Card Holders Total GenderAgeSocial ClassRegion MaleFemale-2425-3435-4950-6465+ABC1C2DEFDublinLeinsMuns Conn/ Uls Base 429197232546910778105132269288811713787 %%%%%%%% Yes I will visit less frequently 383440454447381837401331304838 Q.2cLooking to the future, would you expect these restrictions in PRSI dental benefits to affect your frequency of visiting a dentist from now on? Q.3cLooking 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?

13. 13 Restrictions to Dental Benefits - Summary Impact

14. 14 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.).

15. 15 Restrictions to Dental Benefits – Summary Impact All Adults with Medical Card or Availing of PRSI Dental Benefits/Private Dental Care 33% (1.1m 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.).

16. 16 Thank you