Nine in 10 U.S. adults now recognize oral health as a fundamental component of overall health, according to Delta Dental's 2026 State of America's Oral Health and Wellness Report that was released May 19. The findings may give clinicians a tailwind when counseling patients on the value of preventive care.
The nationwide survey of 2,000 respondents found that 91% of adults consider oral health a key part of overall well-being, with awareness of oral-systemic connections to chronic conditions, including kidney disease, diabetes, and dementia, consistently growing.
Gen Z emerges as a highly aware cohort
Perhaps the most clinically significant trend for practitioners is the generational shift among Gen Z patients. Among respondents born roughly between 1997 and 2012, 94% described oral health as very or extremely important to overall health, up from 89% in 2025. More than 8 in 10 Gen Z respondents (81%) agreed that oral health is closely tied to mental health, a notable jump from 73% the prior year.
Self-reported oral health status among Gen Z also improved markedly: Forty-eight percent rated their own oral health positively compared to 31% in 2025. Whether that reflects genuine improvements in home care and preventive visits or a shift in health attitudes may be worth exploring during patient conversations.
Preventive visit parity gains ground -- unevenly
Ninety percent of adults now say preventive dental exams are as important as annual medical physicals, up from 87% in 2025. For hygienists and front-office teams making the case for recall appointments, that growing patient receptivity could help reduce scheduling resistance.
However, the report highlights a persistent access disparity that practitioners in underserved areas will recognize. In 2025, adults in urban settings were significantly more likely than rural residents to have completed a preventive dental visit -- 53% versus 40%. That 13-percentage-point gap underscores ongoing challenges in rural dental access that advocacy groups and safety-net providers continue to address.
Children's oral health ratings climb to 5-year high
For pediatric-focused practitioners, the report offers encouraging news on the parent side. Ninety-five percent of parents identified their child's oral health as a top priority, and 78% rated their child's oral health as "good" or "excellent" -- the highest proportion recorded in the report's five-year history. Research suggests that primary care provider involvement in early oral health counseling may be contributing to improved parental engagement.
Methodology
Delta Dental Plans Association commissioned Material Holdings LLC to conduct the research through an online survey conducted between January 5 and January 15, 2026. The sample included 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 18 and older and 1,000 parents of children ages 12 and under, with geographic distribution quotas applied to ensure population-level representation. The margin of error is ±3%.
Read the full 2026 State of America's Oral Health and Wellness Report.
