The percentage of Taysiders seeking dental check-ups has fallen over the last eight years.
More than a quarter of adults in the area have not contacted the General Dental Service (GDS) for an exam or treatment within the last two years.
As recently as March 2008, 100% of children and 99.3% of adults had visited an NHS dental surgery within the last two years.
But as of March 2016, those figures were 88.5% for children and 74.6% for adults.
Derek Richards, director of the Centre for Evidence-based Dentistry in Dundee, said: “The number of patients attending an NHS dental practice has increased, although registrations have seen a larger increase, resulting in an overall lowering of the participation rate.
“For adults who are liable to pay NHS dental charges, concern over cost may cause some not to attend — even though check-ups are free.”
Monifieth-based dentist Patricia Barry-Murphy said a number of factors could have contributed to people’s decisions not to get NHS check-ups.
She told the Tele: “I think an increase in the uptake of private dental services could be a factor.
“But I’d say now more than ever before people are aware of their dental health. It is the case that in tough economic times some people deprioritise it but the increased uptake of private and cosmetic treatments not available on the NHS is something a lot of dentists are noticing.”
NHS Tayside clinical dental director Morag Curnow said: “Over the last 10 years, registrations to the GDS have risen substantially.
“This is due to the improved access to NHS dentists across Tayside.
“The best way to care for your teeth is to attend your dentist for regular check-ups, restrict your sugar intake and brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.”