A survey from 2023 found that cost was the number one reason U.S. adults gave for not planning on seeing a dentist in the coming year for routine or preventive care. At that time, around 45 percent of adults in the United States who did not plan on seeing a dentist for routine or preventive care in the coming year cited the cost as the reason. Other leading reasons for not planning on seeing a dentist were not having insurance, feeling there was no need, and a fear of the dentist or dental procedures.
Share of U.S. adults who gave select reasons for not planning on seeing a dentist in the coming year for routine or preventive care as of 2023
Characteristic
Percentage of adults
Cost
45%
No insurance
28%
No need
24%
Fear of dentist or procedures
17%
Wear dentures/no permanent teeth
11%
Other
8%
I don't trust that the dental team will act in my best interest
7%
I delayed care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now I am worried the oral health provider will find problems with my teeth
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CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. (June 27, 2023). Share of U.S. adults who gave select reasons for not planning on seeing a dentist in the coming year for routine or preventive care as of 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 09, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1548469/reasons-for-not-planning-to-see-a-dentist-us/
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. "Share of U.S. adults who gave select reasons for not planning on seeing a dentist in the coming year for routine or preventive care as of 2023." Chart. June 27, 2023. Statista. Accessed May 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1548469/reasons-for-not-planning-to-see-a-dentist-us/
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. (2023). Share of U.S. adults who gave select reasons for not planning on seeing a dentist in the coming year for routine or preventive care as of 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1548469/reasons-for-not-planning-to-see-a-dentist-us/
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. "Share of U.S. Adults Who Gave Select Reasons for Not Planning on Seeing a Dentist in The Coming Year for Routine or Preventive Care as of 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 27 Jun 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1548469/reasons-for-not-planning-to-see-a-dentist-us/
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Share of U.S. adults who gave select reasons for not planning on seeing a dentist in the coming year for routine or preventive care as of 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1548469/reasons-for-not-planning-to-see-a-dentist-us/ (last visited May 09, 2025)
Share of U.S. adults who gave select reasons for not planning on seeing a dentist in the coming year for routine or preventive care as of 2023 [Graph], CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, June 27, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1548469/reasons-for-not-planning-to-see-a-dentist-us/
