{"id":20532,"date":"2023-05-24T09:42:15","date_gmt":"2023-05-24T14:42:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20532"},"modified":"2023-07-19T11:52:17","modified_gmt":"2023-07-19T16:52:17","slug":"the-state-of-oral-healthcare-in-the-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/the-state-of-oral-healthcare-in-the-us\/","title":{"rendered":"The State of Oral Healthcare in the US"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a society, the U.S. values straight white teeth. Both professional studies and anecdotal evidence highlight how <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2023\/03\/08\/1161994484\/marketplace-broken-teeth-economic-effect\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">people with beautiful smiles are more likely to get hired<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, obtain promotions and win over potential partners on dates. Essentially, someone with healthy teeth will be treated better throughout life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, dental care isn\u2019t always accessible or affordable in the United States. Nearly half (48%) of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.valuepenguin.com\/dental-survey\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">insured Americans have skipped dental visits due to cost<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This jumps up to 65% of Americans without insurance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The dental industry in the United States is complex. Learn more about the state of oral health in America and how dental professionals are working to help more patients like you each year.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Oral care statistics in the United States<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first place to start is with a general overview of dental care in the United States. Here are a few eye-opening statistics that break this down:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">26% of Americans have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/oralhealth\/basics\/adult-oral-health\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">untreated dental cavities<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">46% of adults 30 or older have signs of gum disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">75% of Hispanics and non-Hispanic Black adults have an unmet need for dental treatment.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">77 million American adults <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dentaleconomics.com\/macro-op-ed\/article\/14284116\/new-data-show-that-americans-are-still-not-getting-the-dental-care-they-need\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">do not have dental insurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/advisor\/health-insurance\/dental-work-cost\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">average cost of a filling<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is $148 and the average cost of tooth extraction is $196.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">42% of Americans say they <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deltadentalinstitute.com\/news\/press-releases\/americans-still-wish-they-saw-their-dentist-more\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">don\u2019t visit the dentist as often as they would like<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this is the leading medical care provider Americans wish they saw more.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost is a significant prohibiting factor to receiving dental care. Americans without dental insurance often put off visits to the dentist because they can\u2019t afford the costs out-of-pocket. Americans who are traditionally poorer (specifically non-white Americans) are more likely to have untreated dental issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Considering <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marketwatch.com\/picks\/heres-exactly-how-much-americans-have-in-savings-at-every-age-and-yikes-heres-what-they-should-have-01659384531\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">most Americans have less than $5,000 saved<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in case of an emergency, most people can\u2019t afford a dental bill that includes X-rays, cleanings, fillings, gum treatments and potential extractions. Without insurance, these procedures add up and could wipe out a person\u2019s savings.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>How does this increase or decrease the need for professional oral care?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, inaccessible oral care creates a snowball effect that actually increases the costs of seeing dentists for most Americans. If a patient has insurance or affordable dental care through which they receive preventative maintenance, they might go several years without needing serious dental intervention. In this case, they pay a small fee each year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, a patient who misses their dental visits for multiple years because of the costs could develop serious oral health issues. By the time the issues are too severe to ignore, they might require intense interventions that could cost thousands of dollars.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basic dental care needs to be accessible and affordable in order to cut long-term dental costs and improve the oral health of most Americans.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Barriers to oral care<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several reasons why people can\u2019t or won&#8217;t seek out dental care. This issue is far more complex than reducing the costs of seeing a dentist. Here are a few factors that keep people from keeping up with their oral health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Monetary barriers<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article has already covered the monetary costs of routine care and emergency dental treatment; however, there are secondary costs that Americans accrue when they visit the dentist. For example, many people have to miss work due to dental appointments and recovery. While some dentists offer night and weekend hours, other patients have to lose wages to receive dental treatment during business hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, patients have to worry about childcare and transportation costs related to\u00a0 dental visits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Stigmas<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many people who haven\u2019t been to the dentist recently start to avoid the dentist. They may worry that the dentist will judge them or shame them for their oral health. Other patients might worry that the dentist will find issues with their teeth and that the price to fix them will be costly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Inequities<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not everyone has access to a dentist. In the United States, the average patient-to-dentist ratio is 1,399 to 1, according to Byte. However, in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.byte.com\/community\/resources\/article\/lack-of-dental-access\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dental deserts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this ratio can jump to one dentist for every 20,000 patients. Some counties don\u2019t have any dentists at all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dental care isn\u2019t just restricted by geography. Many people also face language barriers. Not every town has a dentist who speaks Vietnamese, Portuguese, Swahili or any other language that local residents use. Even finding American Sign Language interpreters can be a challenge.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Public policies<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dental insurance is not legally required by the ACA, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcare.gov\/coverage\/dental-coverage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you can pick a plan with or without dental coverage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. While dental coverage offered by providers must be available for children under the age of 18, Americans don\u2019t have to buy it. This means it is up to individuals whether they want (or can afford) dental care.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dental care is not considered essential for adults, which means health plans do not have to offer it. This means some people who want dental coverage might not be able to access it from their provider.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Coverage gaps in oral care<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The future of oral care in the U.S. might not be as bright as dental health experts would like. Medicare and Medicaid, which are essential services for people who need healthcare, don\u2019t always cover dental health. In fact, researchers at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine found a severe <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.harvard.edu\/gazette\/story\/2023\/02\/dental-care-decline-tied-to-medicare-coverage-gap\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">drop in people who visit the dentist<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> after they turn 65. This is because of the lack of coverage offered by Medicare.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For Medicaid, coverage depends on the state level. While states are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/answers\/medicare-and-medicaid\/does-medicaid-cover-dental-care\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">required to cover dental care<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> until patients turn 21, any dental coverage is optional once the patient reaches adulthood. As a result, some states offer oral care as part of their Medicaid benefits, while others do not \u2014 leaving patients to pay out-of-pocket.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it is possible to secure dental insurance privately, many people can\u2019t afford to take on that extra monthly cost. To many, it doesn\u2019t seem fair to ask Medicare and Medicaid recipients to seek out private insurance on top of their state and federal benefits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Bridging coverage gaps<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the event that you need help with a coverage gap or know someone who does, there are options. Patients can look for low-cost dentists in their area who specifically help people without dental coverage. Some dentists have even opened <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wuft.org\/news\/2021\/10\/11\/dental-care-on-wheels-is-treating-uninsured-patients-in-marion-county\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mobile clinics through dental buses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that drive to rural areas and help people receive dental care. Many dentists will also work with patients to secure payment plans to break down large bills into manageable monthly chunks.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Future trends for dental care in the U.S.<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you consider the current state of oral care in the United States, the possibility of accessible treatment can seem insurmountable. However, small steps can add up to make a big impact. Here are a few positive trends changing the game.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Dental telehealth<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Telehealth is the practice of meeting with medical professionals virtually, usually over video calls. It became a big part of American lives during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued since as more providers and patients learned the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/telehealth-is-going-to-be-part-of-our-lives-now\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">variety of services that can be offered remotely<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. There are several <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/heres-how-teledentistry-works\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">benefits of teledentistry<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Patients can meet with a dentist from their homes and on their schedules, which reduces barriers like needing time off from work and childcare.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, there are some <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/the-pros-and-cons-of-teledentistry\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">drawbacks to teledentistry<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A dentist might need to see a patient in person to confirm a diagnosis and the patient will definitely need to make an appointment to have work done. Unlike a medical diagnosis where a patient can self-administer a cream or take a medication, only a dentist can fill a cavity or complete a root canal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, not all <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/how-does-insurance-work-for-video-visits\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">insurance plans cover video visits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so telehealth could be costly for some patients.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Sustainability in dental care<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even outside of dental visits, basic oral healthcare can get expensive. A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/health.costhelper.com\/electric-toothbrushes.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">basic electric toothbrush<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may cost less than $10 but users also need to pay for batteries. Toothpaste, floss and mouthwash also contribute to grocery expenses and might cause some families to go over budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some companies are working to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/dental-and-oral-health\/sustainable-oral-care-products\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">make dental care more sustainable<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This means that fewer brushes and tubes of toothpaste will end up in landfills. It also means that people can reuse items and won\u2019t have to constantly pay for basic dental care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>VR in dental care<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, dentists are constantly working to make oral care less invasive and painful. For example, by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.futuredentalcare.com\/blog\/how-laser-dentistry-can-help-your-smile\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">treating cavities with a laser<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a patient doesn\u2019t need a shot of novocaine that numbs their whole mouth. This makes people less likely to put off dental visits for fear of pain and discomfort.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By investing in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4043252\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">virtual reality for dental care<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, dentists can identify oral problems faster and treat them easier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There isn\u2019t a single solution to improve oral care coverage in the U.S. However, when dental care becomes more affordable and accessible (and less painful) more people will seek out treatment before their dental problems become too severe to ignore.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">Need a Doctor\u2019s Appointment? Find one on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/\">Zocdoc.<\/a><\/h1>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Take a deep dive into why oral care is inaccessible and how this has ripple effects across the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":82,"featured_media":20533,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[227],"tags":[41,244],"class_list":["post-20532","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-mental-health","tag-preventative-care","reviewer-dr-nassim-assefi"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The State of Oral Healthcare in the US - Guides<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Access to dental healthcare isn\u2019t equal across the United States. 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