Survey: Fewer American adults saw a dentist in 2017

A new Delta Dental survey found that 58% of American adults visited a dentist at least once in 2017, down from 62% in 2016. However, 42% of American adults would like to see a dentist more frequently.

Wanting to see a dentist more frequently was the most common response when survey respondents were asked which healthcare practitioners they wanted to see. A respondent's primary care physician was the next most mentioned at 29%. Seeing a dentist also topped the previous survey.

Other findings of the survey include the following:

  • 85% of those surveyed believe oral healthcare is very or extremely important to their overall health.
  • 15% rate their oral health as excellent.
  • 52% made their most recent appointment for a regular checkup.
  • 17% made their most recent appointment to have a procedure done.
  • 15% made their most recent appointment because of mouth pain.

The Adult's Oral Health and Well-Being Survey was conducted between December 13 and December 28, 2017, and included more than 1,000 Americans age 18 and older.

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