A nationwide poll found that 77 percent of Americans view their oral health as very important to their overall health. The poll, commissioned by Research!America, also found that just 57 percent say they have insurance to cover dental care-a finding that coincides with national health statistics. Americans paid $35 billion out-of-pocket for dental care in 2002, or about half of all costs associated with oral health. "It is gratifying to know that Americans understand their overall health is intimately liked to oral health," said Dominick DePaola, DDS, PhD, president of Forsyth Institute. "In this context, the emerging data that show gum disease can increase a pregnant woman's risk of giving birth to a premature infant is part of a significant, growing base of knowledge linking oral infections as a risk factor to a variety of systemic diseases. These findings further demonstrate the urgency for increased funding for oral health research."
The poll also found that 83 percent of Americans believe it is important that the United States maintain its role as a world leader in oral health research.
"It is heartening to see that the vast majority of Americans highly value the benefits from oral health research," said Michael Alfano, DMD, PhD, dean of the New York University College of Dentistry. "This public enthusiasm should bolster our resolve to accelerate our investment in oral health."
Other key findings:
Two-thirds favor research into diagnostic saliva tests that could eventually replace traditional blood tests.
More than three-quarters of Americans see their dental health practitioner regularly: 59 percent report once every six months and 20 percent report once every year.
86 percent say it is important that the federal government continues to support research to improve oral health. "Americans spent $2 billion on Halloween candy this season-that is five times the amount allocated this year to oral health research funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research," said Mary Woolley, president of Research!America.
Charlton Research Company conducted the telephone survey among 800 adults nationwide. The entire sample was proportionate to the country's demographics, including geography, gender, voter registration and ethnicity. The survey, fielded September 17-25, 2003, has a theoretical sampling error of +/-3.5 percent.
Research!America is a not-for-profit public education and advocacy organization. Together, its 460+ member organizations and institutions represent the voices of more than 40 million Americans striving to make medical and health research-including research to prevent disease, disability and injury and to promote health-a much higher national priority. R!A provides a unified link between the voice of citizens who strongly support research and local, state and national opinion leaders and decision makers. For more information, visit www.researchamerica.org.