New research suggests a correlation between dental coverage, preventive dental visits, and overall health understanding

Through the annual Delta Dental research study, an interesting trifecta of potential cause and effect is starting to emerge.

Understanding the Links Between Oral Health and Overall Health

The link between oral health and overall health has been well understood at a broad level for many years, with 92% of adults believing there is a close connection between the two. But new research shows that there is a growing understanding of the specific overall benefits of good oral health. 

49% of adults understand the connection between oral health and heart disease—an increase of 6 percentage points vs. last year. Another sizeable increase was that of the link with high blood pressure, increasing from 26% to 32% of adults. Understanding the connection between oral health and respiratory illness, diabetes, and stroke also increased year over year.[i]

This understanding stands to benefit millions of Americans, with 49% affected by high blood pressure alone.[ii]

 

Dental Coverage at a 5-Year High

Around 2 out of 3 adults have dental coverage—the highest in 5 years—and 9 in 10 parents say their children are covered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belief in the value of dental coverage is further validated by the 86% of adults who agree that it is essential; the 88% who say it makes them less worried about dental emergencies; the 85% who believe it helps save them money in the long run; and the 84% who say it is worth the cost. This belief appears to be driving dental visits—83% of those with coverage visited the dentist in 2023, a higher proportion of those without it, of which just 58% visited the dentist in 2023.[i]

Preventive Dental Care Visits are on the Rise

There are correlations between the growing understanding of oral and overall health connections, increased dental coverage, and preventive care dental checkups. 83% of adults made a preventive visit to their dentist in 2023, an increase of 5 percentage points from the previous year. Subsequently, unexpected visits decreased by the same number of percentage points.[i]

Inversely, more time spent in the dentist chair for preventive appointments, is likely to lead to even more understanding of the importance of oral health and its connections to overall health.

 

While the causes and effects may be somewhat cyclical, the main takeaway? The more informed Americans are—about both dental health and dental coverage—the better protected they are likely to be. As articulated by Professor Jocelyne Feine, DDS, MS, HDR, “We know there’s a connection between oral health and general health, and they need to be seen as one.”[iii]