The oral health of Romanians is increasingly fragile due to the rising cost of living and economic instability. Prevention is the only accessible way

In the middle of the year, the dental field in Romania is increasingly feeling the pressure of socio-economic instability. The more expensive cost of living and the uncertainty generated by the tax increase are causing Romanians to give up or postpone complex interventions for the long term, especially those that involve high costs or aesthetic ones, according to a CEC Dental Clinic analysis.

Romania has only 35 public dental offices out of a total of over 17,000. In a context where the cost of living and treatment is increasing, fewer and fewer Romanians can afford basic oral care. Future dentists support the need for equity, but the system remains inaccessible to many. The only viable long-term solution is sustained prevention.

“The dental health of Romanians will be increasingly fragile if they do not have constant care through preventive treatments, in the context where the cost of living is increasingly expensive and many people cannot afford to restore their teeth. Patients postpone interventions that they do not perceive as emergencies and only go to the dentist when the pain becomes unbearable, although this behavior has long-term consequences for their oral health. It is a waiting behavior, dictated by everyday economic realities.

However, the number of visits for prevention is starting to increase, as some Romanians realize that it is cheaper to prevent than to rebuild their teeth. Prevention is a priority for our clinic – we focus on helping patients become aware of the importance of prevention, the importance of regular visits to the dentist, and the importance of much lower costs for preventive treatments. Little by little, we are managing to educate in this regard, and in this more difficult economic context, there is an increase in the number of patients returning for preventive treatments,” explains Narcisa Calotă, dentist and founder of CEC Dental Clinic.

Romanians lose their teeth by the age of 40 due to poor hygiene

Brushing your teeth is essential, but it is not enough to prevent tooth decay, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and other oral health problems. Without preventive dental visits, Romanians lose their teeth much earlier than the European average, mainly due to poor oral hygiene and lack of health education. Studies show that most Romanian adults begin to lose teeth around the age of 40, and a significant percentage reach partial or total edentulism before retirement age.

This early oral decay poses major risks to overall health: untreated infections can affect the heart, lungs, and digestive tract, and poor chewing can lead to dietary imbalances and nutritional deficiencies. In addition, tooth loss affects self-esteem, speech and the quality of social and professional life.

How much does annual prevention cost versus tooth reconstruction through dental implants?

Even though dentistry is not considered essential in times of crisis, prevention seems to be gradually becoming an anchor of balance.

Complex procedures for a premium dental implant cost around 2,000 Euros, and the rehabilitation of both jaws through state-of-the-art treatments can reach 30,000 Euros. In comparison, preventive treatments through regular visits to the dentist 2-3 times a year, assessment of the general condition of the teeth and gums, and procedures such as scaling, professional brushing, airflow, and professional fluoridation, can cost between 100 and 300 Euros per year.

Specifically, a dental implant can be up to 10 times more expensive than an annual preventive treatment, and dental reconstruction can be up to 150 times more expensive than annual prevention.

“As we can see, prevention is much cheaper than a dental implant and is the only way accessible to the population at the moment. It costs less, takes less time, and considerably reduces the risk of serious oral health problems. And this should be a wake-up call. Romanians should no longer end up paying for their teeth in installments, but should invest in regular check-ups and cleanings in advance. It is much simpler, healthier, and more affordable in the long term. In addition, tooth loss not only affects aesthetics or chewing – it can also lead to digestive disorders, postural imbalances, and even cardiovascular diseases, if oral infections become chronic,” explains Narcisa Calotă, dentist and founder of CEC Dental Clinic.

Although the context is more difficult for patients and the field of dentistry, CEC Dental Clinic reports a 15% increase in the first half of the year, compared to the same period in 2024, amid the emphasis on periodic hygiene and routine check-ups.

Modern technology will become indispensable in 2025

Technological advances require continuous adaptation for dental practices. The integration of modern equipment, such as digital scanners, 3D printers, traceability systems for sterilization transparency, or software solutions for clinic management, represents an essential competitive advantage.

Therefore, the dental services market in 2025 will be characterized by dynamism, economic challenges, and increasing demands from patients. Practices that will emphasize quality, prevention, and technology will have the chance to thrive in a fiercely competitive market. CEC Dental is committed to providing excellent services, constantly adapting to new trends and patient needs.