LOS ANGELES (July 16, 2013) – Of the more than 148 million Americans – nearly half of the population - who lack dental insurance, 56 percent seek no preventative care at all and 18 percent haven't been to the dentist in the last 10 years, according to a nationwide survey released today by Empirica Research and Brighter.com, a free alternative to dental insurance. Consumers cite cost and fear of sticker shock as the top two reasons for holding off on the care they need double the number of those who delay due to the fear of pain.
The 2013 Annual Survey of Dental Care Affordability and Accessibility also found that 42 percent of parents without insurance have delayed dental care for their children due to cost. According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, dental disease, including untreated cavities, is more common in U.S. children than any other chronic disease. It is five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than allergies[i].
Additional findings from this survey include:
· 62% of uninsured Americans and 44% of insured Americans have delayed dental care due to low price transparency in the market.
· Among uninsured Americans, nearly 70% have at least one major unmet dental care need (e.g., missing teeth, bleeding gums, toothache).
· Even among insured Americans, a majority (57%) currently have an unmet dental need.
· Nationally, 54% of the uninsured have not seen a dentist in the last year and 12% expect not to go in the next 5 years.
The 2013 survey is a nationally representative study that gauges the current state of Americans’ access to dental care, with a focus on tracking factors that prevent patients from getting access to needed care. The study includes a nationally representative sample of adults.
You can access the full 2013 Annual Survey of Dental Care Affordability and Accessibility online at www.Brighter.com.