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Looking for a caring and professional dental practice? We’re excited to welcome new patients to our clinic! Whether you’re due for a check-up, need treatment, or are looking to enhance your smile, our friendly team is here to help.
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The dangers of skipping dental appointments

The dangers of skipping dental appointments


The dangers of skipping the dentist due to financial pressures

Many people are skipping dental appointments due to current financial pressures, but this can lead to serious oral health problems, carrying an increased risk for additional costs in the future. At Sturminster Dental Care we're seeing an increasing number of patients delaying their routine dental check-up and ignoring treatment requirements until they are in pain. This is concerning as regular appointments are essential to maintaining the best oral health and avoiding any problems progressing into more complex issues.

The risks of missing dental check-ups

Missing dental appointments can have serious consequences on your oral health. Without regular visits to your local dentist and hygienist, plaque and tartar and build up in those hard to reach areas, leading to decay and gum disease. In addition, many oral health problems are asymptomatic, meaning they don't cause dental pain or discomfort until they reach an advanced stage.

Delaying treatment can also lead to more expensive and invasive procedures down the line. For example a small cavity that could be easily filled will eventually require a root canal treatment or even extraction, if left untreated.

At each dental examination, your dentist will also check for signs of mouth cancer in the cheeks, palate, tongue, gums and lips. According to the latest NHS figures, around 8,300 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer in the UK each year. That's about 1 in every 50 cancers diagnosed. If mouth cancer is diagnosed early, a complete cure is often possible in up to 9 in 10 cases using surgery alone, so regular check-ups with your dentist is key.

Tips for affordable dental care

Whilst the cost of dental care can be a barrier for many people at this time, there are some options to help spread the cost of your care, making it more affordable:

  • Dental plans - signing up to a dental plan will help spread the cost of your annual routine dental care and hygienist appointments across 12 months. Many plans also offer discount on any clinically required work for plan members. Ask your local Sturminster Newton  dentist about the plans they offer.
  • Employee dental insurance/plans - review your employee benefits to make sure that your not missing out on any reduced rate plans that you may be eligible for through your employer.
  • Commit to a good home oral care regime - Ensure thorough cleaning with an electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes, twice a day, followed by mouth wash and flossing/interdental brushing, to keep any problems at bay. 
  • Take advantage of preventative care - regularly check-ups and cleaning are essential for preventing costly dental problems down the line.

Finding a local dentist in Sturminster Newton 

If you are looking for a dentist in Sturminster Newton, there are many resources to help you find the right one. Ask friends and family for trusted recommendations, check out patient reviews on platforms such as Google, Facebook, Trust Pilot or Yell, or search online to find a dentist that best meets your needs. 

In conclusion, skipping the dentist due to financial pressures can lead to serious oral health problems. Its important to take steps to make dental care more affordable. By finding a local dentist that you can trust and taking advantage of preventative care you can maintain good oral health and avoid costly procedures down the line.

At Sturminster Dental Care we have carefully built our dental practice in Sturminster Newton up over many years through personal recommendation of friends and family, or on referral from their own dental practitioner; we are most grateful for this vote of confidence given to us. Check out our Google reviews below to hear more about what our patients think or us.

We commit to open and honest pricing for our patients. To view our latest fees, visit our fees page on the website.

Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to Sturminster Dental Care. In fact, we have built much of our practice on these valued, trusted recommendations over the years. Read our reviews to hear why our patients are recommending us…

Patient reviews

727 Reviews

5.0

8th October 2025

Helen the hygienist was very kind and caring. Explained things very well. The dentist (forgot his name) was understanding of my situation

8th October 2025

Professionalism of all staff, friendliness and care

7th October 2025

Caring, diligent and professional staff working as a team across the whole practice. A pleasant environment. Patients are treated with courtesy and respect.

7th October 2025

Very attentive staff I was made to feel very comfortable and at ease as a nervous patient

6th October 2025

Efficient and friendly service

3rd October 2025

Highly professional and efficient. Excellent location and pleasant environment.

29th September 2025

Friendly knowledgeable team of professionals that make you welcome whatever time I’d day your appointment takes place.

27th September 2025

Staff that I see are very experienced, competent and friendly. Waiting room very comfortable and up to date magazines available to read whilst I waited for my wife, who also had an appointment following mine.

26th September 2025

It is the overall excellence of all aspects of the practice.

26th September 2025

good quality dental care in a well considered surrounding

25th September 2025

Emmanuel was looking at making my denture to make it more comfy...the appointment wasn't about the lost crown. He spotted that and came up with another option themat Gowtham had not offered. This was frustrating and upsetting as it was quite by chance that I saw Emmanuel!

EC

Emma-lee Chaney

Don’t even hesitate to join them — the level of professionalism and skill at Sturminster is exceptional, and it’s incredibly rare to find that these days. Your expectations of dental care will completely change. They truly care about you and your health, not about how much money they can make. Here’s my story if you’d like to read it (it’s a long one): A few years ago, Ian removed my wisdom tooth quickly and painlessly. Afterwards, I had a few hygienist appointments and honestly, they worked miracles. My teeth had never looked or felt that clean before — and the best part was that it didn’t cost me a fortune. When I later moved to Bournemouth, I started a long and frustrating journey trying to find a practice that matched the same standard of care. I ended up registering with four different practices, each time spending money and leaving disappointed. Most recently, I had trouble with my other wisdom tooth. After paying high fees at several Bournemouth practices, I was left feeling hopeless. One hygienist even stopped cleaning after just 20 minutes — unless I agreed to pay double to have my top teeth done too! The practice quoted me a staggering £1,500, claiming that only a specialist could remove my tooth. Eventually, after months the pain returned. I gave up and returned to Sturminster to see Ian — the same dentist who treated me years ago. Ian didn’t even charge me for the initial appointment, since it was just a quick check to confirm he could remove the tooth. And of course, he could. I wasn’t surprised at his skill, only at the fact that other dentists couldn’t (or wouldn’t) help, and that they tried to charge me £500, while Ian quoted me just £122. On top of that, Sturminster Dental Practice even posted antibiotics to me in Bournemouth to help with the pain while I waited for my treatment, since they’re understandably very busy. No other practice has ever treated me with such genuine care, without judgement, and with a real willingness to help. Since I last saw them in 2022, I’ve been to at least six different dentists and hygienists — and none have come close and some didn’t even help me a little. They just wanted money. When Ian greets you, you feel as ease. Excited to be there, and look forward to your problems going away. A massive thank you to this practice!

23rd September 2025

Professional friendly good clean environment. Felt totally at ease throughout my experience.

22nd September 2025

The service. The team. The cleanliness of the whole building. I cannot fault my experience with Sturminster Dental Care. I have been using this dentist for a few years after a period of not attending the dentist. They have made the experience smooth and pain free.

19th September 2025

Great communication. All staff so lovely make you feel part of a big family.

19th September 2025

Until Ian became my dentist I never liked going to the dentist, he is the only one I can honestly say I have complete confidence in.

18th September 2025

Extremely professional team and immaculate cleanliness of the facilities

18th September 2025

Perfection across the board. All the staff are exceptional.

18th September 2025

Expertise and friendlyness

17th September 2025

Had prepped my paperwork ready, thorough in making sure I knew the next steps

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