1. Dental Care at Midlife: Unmet Needs, Uncertain Future
October 2017

2. Overview of the NPHA
Develop, implement, and sustain a recurring, nationally representative household survey of older U.S. adults
Dissemination of results through reports, articles, and videos to elevate the voices of the public, inspire future research, and inform national dialogue 
Evaluate additional poll data for further insights to be shared via academic channels
About issues related to health—we Use health broadly—health, health care, health policy—affecting older adults and those around them.

3. +

9. Preventive Visits and Oral Health Status
63% reported they had a preventive dental visit in past year, 8% reported that their last preventive visit was >10 years ago
41% reported excellent or very good oral health
38% said their dental problems caused pain, difficulty eating, missed work, or other health conditions

10. Perceptions on Prevention and Access
79% said it is definitely true that regular dental care is important to prevent dental problems at their age
58% indicated it is definitely true that it is as easy to get dental care as medical care
Problem-only were 4x more likely than prevention-focused and those without dental insurance were 4x more likely than those with dental insurance to indicate that dental care was not as easy to get

11. Unmet Needs
27% (56% of those who were problem only) reported they needed dental care in the past two years but either delayed or did not get care
Among those with unmet dental needs, major factors included cost (69%), being afraid of the dentist (20%), finding time to go (18%), and finding a dentist (14%)

12. Dental Coverage Now and in the Future
28% did not currently have dental insurance
Many expressed uncertainty about how they would get dental coverage at 65
13% expect to get it from Medicare or Medicaid
8% said they would not have it
51% said they didn’t know how they will get dental insurance

13. Implications
Patterns of dental care differ substantially among people in this age range
Those who were problem-only reported more barriers to getting care
Connection between dental insurance coverage and care seeking makes uncertainty and confusion about future dental coverage concerning

14. Media Highlights CBS Radio AHCJ blog CBS News Xinhua News (China)
Dr. Oz
Daily Mail (UK)
HealthDay News
AARP Bulletin*
Consumer Reports

15. Contact Information
Erica Solway, Associate Director, National Poll on Healthy Aging
Sign up for our newsletter: