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.
