Good Dental Health Hinges on Insurance Income Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.
Good Dental Health Hinges on Insurance Income
New poll reveals worries about access to dental care as Americans age
Cost is the largest factor in delaying or skipping care, according to a recent survey. Maria Teijeiro/Getty Images . According to the poll, 28 percent of Americans ages 50 to 64 lack dental coverage. Those without insurance are far more likely never to go to the dentist or to do so only for serious problems. And more than half of survey respondents are worried about how they will get dental coverage when they turn 65. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Among individuals 50 to 64 who have dental insurance, 71 percent are diligent about following guidelines for good , including getting regular cleanings and going to the dentist whenever problems arise. But of those without coverage, only 33 percent routinely get preventive dental care. The vast majority of respondents (58 percent) agreed, “It is just as easy to get dental care as medical care.” But dental insurance is a major factor here, too. Those without dental insurance were four times more likely than those with dental insurance to say dental care is not as easy to get as medical care (42 vs 10 percent). About one-third of Americans in midlife confess to being embarrassed by the condition of their teeth, a sentiment that is significantly more likely among Americans who never see a dentist or who go only for a serious problem than among those who are prevention focused or who go to the dentist inconsistently. “We know that oral health is a critical factor in overall wellness, and this research helps us identify some key issues, such as affordability and coverage, to address individuals who are not focused on prevention,” said Alison Bryant, senior vice president of research at AARP. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. in the past two years. Other discouraging influences were far less significant, including fear (20 percent), finding time to go (18 percent), finding a dentist (14 percent) and getting an appointment (9 percent). The survey also found that those with higher incomes are more likely to be focused on prevention. For example, 74 percent of individuals with an annual income above $60,000 reported getting regular preventive care, compared with 32 percent whose income was below $30,000. In addition, just 12 percent of people with income above $60,000 said they are “problem-only” dental care consumers, but 47 percent of those with income below $30,000 reported going to the dentist only when they have a problem. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > Whether insured or not, 97 percent of those polled agreed, “Dental care at my age is important to prevent dental problems when I am older.” About a quarter of respondents said that when they reach 65 they plan to either have dental insurance through their job or other private dental insurance. Eight percent said they’ll go without dental insurance, and another 13 percent believe that will cover their dental care, which is unlikely. “Traditional Medicare does not cover dental care, and many states offer very limited or no dental coverage for adults with Medicaid,” says poll director Preeti Malani, a professor of internal medicine at the U-M Medical School. “Even those who were diligent about seeing the dentist and had dental insurance throughout adulthood may find it harder to afford dental care as they get older, and coverage options may be more limited.” The poll, based on a nationally representative sample of 1,066 people ages 50 to 64, was conducted by the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, with support from and Michigan Medicine, U-M’s academic medical center. More on health AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS