Highlights from Delta Dental’s 2025 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report
Most Americans say they know oral health is part of overall health, but fewer understand how deep the connection goes. That’s the main takeaway from Delta Dental’s 2025 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report, covered by Inside Dentistry.
The good news: preventive dental visits remain strong. The bad news: at-home care habits and understanding of oral-systemic links are both moving in the wrong direction.
Key findings at a glance
- Awareness is broad but shallow. Over 90% of adults and parents agree oral health affects overall health. Yet far fewer recognize how it ties to heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and respiratory illness—each dropping several points from last year.
- Preventive care holds steady. 84% of dental visits were preventive in 2024, about the same as 2023. Unplanned problem visits and cosmetic visits both declined.
- At-home habits are slipping. Brushing twice a day fell from 79% to 74%, daily flossing from 76% to 71%, and mouthwash use from 74% to 66%. Kids’ habits showed similar declines.
- Dental anxiety still blocks care. One in five adults skipped the dentist due to fear or anxiety, most often driven by fear of pain. Parents reported similar hesitation for their children.
- Pregnancy knowledge gap. Just a third of women know that poor oral health during pregnancy increases the risk of gum disease, preterm birth, and low birth weight.
- Insurance makes a difference. Two-thirds of adults with dental coverage had a preventive visit last year versus only 28% without. The average savings for covered families topped $1,000 a year.
What this means for the dental industry
Education needs to go beyond awareness. Patients may accept that oral health matters, but they don’t fully grasp the medical “why.” Dental professionals and marketers have a chance to connect those dots in ways that drive both prevention and loyalty.
The decline in home care is another red flag. Repetition works—every conversation, reminder, and campaign that reinforces daily habits counts. Anxiety management should also stay front and center in how practices position themselves.
And for those focused on family and maternal health, the prenatal care gap is a clear opportunity to educate and build trust.
Overall, the report reinforces what most in the field already suspect: people believe oral health is important, but belief alone doesn’t shape behavior. Consistent communication, empathy, and education do.