The Greens say it's not psychological issues that are holding people back from the dentist.

The party’s latest election promise is fee dental service, providing basic and eventually specialist care to everyone.

It's received a mixed reaction.

Green Party co-leader James Shaw told Mike Hosking that comparisons with other countries show cost is what's keeping people from the dentist's chair.

Shaw says we have the highest levels of unmet care in the OECD, and the most expensive care.

He says around 70% of adults put off going to the dentist because of the cost.

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