Several health surveys and studies have examined dental care usage in the U.S., revealing key insights about Americans’ dental health behaviors, access, and barriers to care. Here are some of the typical findings from surveys like those conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), and the American Dental Association (ADA):

1. Frequency of Dental Visits

 • Regular Visits: About 65% of U.S. adults report visiting a dentist in the past year.

 • This includes routine visits for cleanings, exams, and preventive care.

 • Annual Visits by Age: Younger adults (18-34 years) tend to visit the dentist less frequently than older adults.

 • Income Disparity: Higher-income individuals are much more likely to have regular dental visits compared to lower-income individuals.

2. Dental Insurance Coverage

 • Insurance Coverage: Roughly 77% of adults have some form of dental insurance.

 • Dental coverage is generally provided through employer-sponsored plans, individual insurance, or public programs like Medicaid and Medicare.

 • Medicare does not cover routine dental care, which leaves many seniors without adequate coverage.

 • Medicaid and Low-Income Adults: Many low-income adults rely on Medicaid, but dental benefits under Medicaid vary by state, and often only cover emergency procedures rather than routine care.

3. Barriers to Dental Care

 • Cost as the Primary Barrier: More than 50% of Americans report avoiding dental care due to high costs, making it one of the most significant barriers to access.

 • Lack of Insurance: About 25% of adults do not have dental insurance, and uninsured individuals are less likely to visit a dentist regularly.

 • Fear and Anxiety: Dental fear or anxiety prevents around 15% of adults from seeking care.

4. Preventive Care and Oral Health Perception

 • Preventive Care Usage: Approximately 80% of children and 60% of adults report receiving preventive care (e.g., cleanings) in the past year.

 • Adults aged 18-34 are less likely to receive preventive care than older adults.

 • Oral Health Status: While most people rate their oral health as “good” or “fair,” about 25% of adults have untreated cavities or other dental issues.

5. Impact of Income and Education

 • Income Disparities: Adults from higher-income households are significantly more likely to have visited a dentist in the past year (80%) compared to those from lower-income households (40%).

 • Education Impact: Adults with higher education levels are more likely to seek dental care regularly.

6. Dental Health and Seniors

 • Seniors and Dental Visits: Dental care utilization drops among older adults (65+), with nearly 50% of seniors not visiting a dentist in the past year. This is partly due to a lack of Medicare coverage.

 • Oral Health Issues Among Seniors: Seniors often face significant health challenges, including gum disease, tooth loss, and difficulty accessing care.

7. Emergency Dental Care

 • Emergency Room Visits: There has been a rise in emergency room visits for dental issues, particularly among uninsured or underinsured individuals. These visits often indicate untreated dental problems that escalate.

8. Oral Health Awareness

 • Oral Health and Overall Health: Surveys consistently show that 80-90% of Americans recognize the link between oral health and overall health, though not everyone prioritizes regular dental visits.

9. Children’s Dental Care

 • Improvement in Pediatric Dental Care: Thanks to public programs like CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), dental care access for children has improved, with nearly 85% of children having had a dental visit in the past year

Conclusion

Despite improvements in access and awareness, cost remains the biggest barrier to dental care in the U.S., and many individuals, particularly low-income adults and seniors, struggle to access preventive and routine dental services. These disparities highlight the need for more comprehensive dental insurance coverage and increased public health initiatives to improve oral health education and access.