Dental insurance = Peace of mind
This is one of the takeaways from the 2025 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report from Delta Dental. Adults with dental insurance were significantly more likely to visit the dentist for preventive care in 2024 (67%) than those without coverage (28%), and 86% of adults believe dental insurance is essential to protect oral and overall health, while 85% say it encourages better oral health habits.
The report was conducted by Delta Dental and based on responses from 2,000 US adults and parents of kids 12 or under.
More people understand the link between oral and overall health, with nine in 10 adults (91%) reporting their oral health is an integral part of their overall health. Also, 95% of parents feel this way about their child’s oral health.
On the flipside, adults have less of an understanding of the correlation between oral health and some health conditions: respiratory illness, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. This represents a continuing challenge for dental teams: general awareness is strong, but detailed understanding of oral-systemic relationships is not keeping up.
Preventive care is strong
Another finding is the stability of preventive dental visits. In 2024, 84% of adult dental visits were preventive, up slightly from the previous year, while unexpected or emergency visits dropped, but cosmetic visits declined.
Preventive care was similar for children. Ninety-five percent of parents reported a dental visit for their child in the past year, and 94% of those visits were preventive. Unexpected visits for children decreased. Insurance coverage plays a big role in this.
The top motivators for preventive care visits were taking advantage of dental insurance at 54%, and scheduling future checkups at the end of an exam at 58%.
At-home oral care declines
While preventive office visits remain strong, everyday oral hygiene habits are slipping:
- Adults brushing twice daily dropped from 79% to 74%.
- Daily flossing fell from 76% to 71%.
- Mouthwash use decreased.
Children show similar patterns. Two-thirds brush twice a day, down from 72% in the 2024 report. Flossing and mouthwash use remains low, and parents say resistance to brushing, high sugar intake, and inconsistent routines all play a role.
Anxiety and cost hinder care
No surprise here: dental anxiety remains a barrier to seeking dental care. One in five adults avoided the dentist due to fear or discomfort, and 14% of parents reported the same for their children. Common reasons include fear of pain, previous negative experiences, sights and sounds of the operatory, and embarrassment about the condition of their mouth.
Cost is also a factor, especially for uninsured adults. Even those who understand the importance of oral health say that financial strain can delay or prevent them from seeking care.
Pregnancy-related oral health knowledge is low
Half of those who are or have been pregnant recognize the importance of oral health during pregnancy, but they have limited awareness of the associated risks of periodontal disease. Only one-third know that pregnancy increases susceptibility to gum disease, and even fewer connect poor oral health to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
On a bit of a gross note …
Some good behaviors have waned in recent years, such as frequent flossing and rinsing with mouthwash. Since 2023, there has been an 11-point decline in adults who replace their toothbrush every three months as recommended.
Sixty-four percent replaced them every three months in 2023, and that was down to 53% in 2025. All generations are down in this category, with baby boomers being the biggest offenders. Only 47% of them replaced their toothbrush every three months compared to 60% of Gen Z.
From Delta Dental
“I’m encouraged to see that a vast majority of adults with dental benefits continue to report tangible physical, mental, and financial health benefits,” said James W. Hutchison, president and CEO of Delta Dental Plans Association. “Notably, insured adult respondents report significant annual out-of-pocket savings, emphasizing the role of dental benefits in reducing financial barriers to essential care.”
“By committing to both at-home oral health care and consistent visits to the dentist, we can collectively ensure healthier smiles and improved overall health for ourselves and future generations,” said Joseph Dill, DDS, MBA, chief dental officer at Delta Dental.
View the entire report from Delta Dental.
