Already 36.9 percent of adult Poles are forgoing dental visits due to lack of money. The latest report by UCE RESEARCH and Implant Medical shows that the problem affects young people and seniors the hardest, and that postponing treatment not only leads to poorer oral health, but also increases the risk of heart disease, kidney disease and a serious burden on the entire health care system.
Poles are putting off dental treatment because of the cost. Experts: it's a health and economic bomb.
Published May 13, 2026 07:01
Fot. Thinkstock/Getty Images
A study by UCE RESEARCH and Implant Medical shows that 36.9 percent of Polish adults forgo dental treatment due to lack of money. The problem most often affects those aged 18-34 and seniors.
Experts point out that dentistry in Poland is largely privately financed, and the rising cost of services - related to, among other things, more expensive materials and energy - has not kept pace with patients' incomes. As a result, treatment is postponed or divided into stages.
However, this is an apparent saving. Oral diseases progress, and delays lead to a so-called "cost spiral." - subsequent treatment is more complicated and much more expensive.
Untreated teeth can also cause serious systemic complications, including heart disease, kidney disease or metabolic conditions. This means a greater burden not only on patients, but on the health care system as a whole.
Most often, expensive procedures such as implants, orthodontics and prosthodontics are put off. Their costs reach up to tens of thousands of zlotys.
Prices for dental services in Poland are rising faster than the EU average - by about 9-10 percent annually. Without systemic changes, the problem of limited access to treatment will get worse.
Topics
stomatologia / koszty leczenia / system ochrony zdrowia / młodzi dorośli / seniorzy / spirala kosztów / implanty dentystyczne / odkładanie leczenia / chor / choroby jamy ustnej / protetyka / ortodoncja / problemy finansowe / leczenie stomatologiczne / powikłania ogólnoustrojowe / brak pieniędzy
