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Recent Survey Finds Nearly Half of Washingtonians Grade Their Oral Health a “C” or Below

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Sixty-one percent have lost a tooth or required an extraction due to oral health issues, increasing to more than two-thirds as Washingtonians reach age 50 and older
Posted: July 26, 2018
Edited by Dentaltown staff

SPOKANE, Wash.—While residents in the state of Washington report they are experiencing dental health issues, they are choosing not to seek treatment for these issues due to costs associated with seeing a dentist.

New research conducted by Guardian, one of the largest dental insurance providers in the U.S., reveals that nearly half of Washingtonians know they have dental issues that need to be taken care of, yet two-thirds say they are likely to put off dental procedures due to concerns about the cost. In fact, 72 percent of Washingtonians say unexpected dental procedures elicit more financial stress than paying taxes.
 
The survey also reveals that nearly half of Washingtonians grade their oral health a “C” or below, and only 14 percent would give themselves an “A.” While residents may be aware of their need for better dental care, the results of not addressing oral health issues can be severe: Twenty-two percent of Washingtonians report missing work because of oral or dental pain, and six in 10 adults have lost a tooth or needed an extraction due to oral health issues.
 
“The fear of unexpected costs is keeping Washingtonians from seeking proper dental care, and some simply can’t afford it at all,” said Dr. Randi Tillman, chief dental officer at Guardian. “Obtaining proper care now helps avoid serious dental problems and expenses later, so we urge people to act now to address their oral health issues and to help others if they can.”

The survey also finds that less than half of Washingtonians (45 percent) have visited the dentist in the last six months, and only 17 percent have visited the dentist within the past year. According to a recent Guardian Workplace Benefits Study, Dental Benefits: A Bridge to Oral Health & Wellness, nearly 60 percent of individuals who go to the dentist twice a year report excellent or very good oral health. The same study also confirmed that those who regularly use their dental benefits for preventive care save money on major restorative costs in the future.

In addition, in Washington, low-income residents who are elderly, medically fragile or living with a disability do not have the means to obtain proper dental care. For many, this means they are living with chronic dental conditions or dental diseases that go untreated due to cost and lack of dental coverage. To help meet their dental care needs, Guardian recently donated $125,000 to Dental Lifeline Network (DLN). The services funded by the grant will begin to relieve the 147 dental cases currently backlogged in Washington due to insufficient funding as well as expand its services over the next two years. As part of this effort, Guardian and DLN are encouraging Washingtonians to support this cause and invite local dentists and laboratories to volunteer their services.
 
Additional survey findings include:
· The American Dental Association recommends taking a child to the dentist no later than their first birthday, yet six in 10 parents in Washington put off taking their child to the dentist until they are at least two years old, with a fifth (22 percent) waiting until their children are 4–6 years old.
· Two-thirds of Washingtonians report using their teeth for something other than chewing or eating, such as to hold objects when their hands are full (49 percent).
· Washingtonians say certain amenities would encourage them to go to the dentist office, such as noise-canceling headphones (26 percent), television in treatment rooms (24 percent), onsite digital X-ray review technology (24 percent), massage systems for dental chairs (20 percent) and refreshments (20 percent).
· Nine in 10 Washingtonians (92 percent) are more likely to choose a dentist if they know he or she gives back to the community
 
For more information about Guardian, visit guardianlife.com. For more information about DLN, visit dentallifeline.org.
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