A new report from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health reveals that 27% of U.S. adults—an estimated 72 million people—do not have dental insurance, nearly three times the number of adults who lack health insurance (9.5%, or 26 million). The findings, from the latest State of Oral Health Equity in America (SOHEA) survey, underscore a persistent and troubling gap in access to dental care.
Lack of dental insurance puts adults at risk for delayed treatment and worsening oral health, which is closely tied to broader health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and even dementia.
“These findings reinforce the fact that oral health care is too expensive and out of reach for too many families in America,” said Melissa Burroughs, senior director of public policy at CareQuest Institute. “Gaps in dental insurance force families to make impossible tradeoffs between things like putting food on the table and getting the care they need—any cuts to the Medicaid program would only make this problem worse. It’s time for policy solutions that address our nation’s oral health, starting by preserving Medicaid adult dental coverage.”
The report, Out of Pocket: A Snapshot of Adults’ Dental and Medical Care Coverage, also finds that:
- Adults with lower incomes and education levels are more likely to lack dental insurance. Forty percent of adults without a high school diploma and 38% of those earning under $30,000 annually are uninsured for dental care.
- One-third of adults with Medicare or Medicaid lack dental coverage. Traditional Medicare does not include dental services, and Medicaid adult dental coverage varies widely by state.
- More than 80% of adults without health insurance also lack dental insurance.
- Nearly one in four adults with dental insurance gained it in the last year, either by changing from a previous insurance plan to a new plan or by enrolling in an insurance plan after being uninsured.
- Among adults currently without dental insurance, 12% lost coverage in the past year, disproportionately affecting younger adults and Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, and Hispanic adults.
Despite growing recognition that oral health is essential to overall health, significant policy gaps remain. Medicare does not guarantee dental coverage, Medicaid coverage for adults is optional and inconsistent across states, and marketplace dental plans often lack affordability and accessibility, with no subsidies available.
The SOHEA survey is the largest nationally representative survey focused exclusively on oral health attitudes, behaviors, and experiences among adults. Conducted from March to May 2024 by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago, the study reflects the voices of more than 9,000 adults nationwide.
The full report is available here.
About CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health® is a national nonprofit championing a more equitable future where every person can reach their full potential through excellent health. We do this through our work in philanthropy, analytics and data insights, health transformation, policy and advocacy, and education, as well as our leadership in dental benefits and innovation advancements. We collaborate with thought leaders, health care providers, patients, and local, state, and federal stakeholders to accelerate oral health care transformation and create a system designed for everyone.
To learn more, visit carequest.org and follow us on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
