30 Dental Industry Statistics You Need to Know

Many people rely on the dental industry to help maintain their oral health. Statistics about the dental industry shed light on oral health practices, the economic burdens of poor oral health, and opportunities for individuals working in this healthcare sector.

This article lists important statistics that can help you better understand the state of dentistry today. We break down dental industry stats by the following categories:

• Oral health and dental habits among U.S. adults
• Children and dental health
• Dental health and diabetes
• Smoking and dental health
• Costs of dental health and economic burdens
• Dental health professionals
• Financial landscape and economic outlook of the dental industry

Learn more by reading the dental industry overview below!

Oral health and dental habits among U.S. adults

1. Approximately 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. floss every day.

This means roughly 68% of adults in the U.S. don’t floss daily. Flossing is essential to removing food particles that brushing may leave behind. Combined with twice-daily brushing, flossing reduces the risk of gum disease and other dental complications.

2. Over 64% of adults had at least one dental exam or cleaning in 2022.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends having a dental exam and cleaning at least once a year. Two times is better.

3. More than 90% of adults have had at least one cavity.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that oral health disorders are among the top three types of health-related burdens worldwide. Caries, which are cavities and other types of tooth decay, continue to be a significant oral health concern that can cause serious health problems if left untreated.

4. Over 40% of adults have reported feeling pain in their mouth in the past year.

Additionally, more than 80% of people will have had at least one cavity by the age of 34. Tooth decay can lead to other issues like bad breath, tooth pain and sensitivity, infection, and tooth loss.

5. More than 47% of adults in the U.S. suffer from advanced gum disease, or periodontitis.

The gums play a crucial role in supporting the health and structure of teeth. Untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss and deterioration of the jawbone and tissues that support the teeth.

6. Experts estimate that about 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth.

Additionally, 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth. Missing one or more teeth does not just compromise your appearance and smile. Those gaps can lead to the remaining teeth shifting out of place, causing misalignment throughout the mouth. If you have missing teeth, your dentist can suggest a remedy like dentures, bridges, or dental implants.

7. 1 in 4 women of childbearing age have cavities that need treated.

A pregnant person with untreated cavities is at greater risk for pregnancy complications. Pregnant people also are more likely to develop caries due to dietary changes.

Children and dental health

8. More than 86% of children aged 2-17 have had at least one dental visit in the last year.

Encouraging dental visits and proper oral hygiene in children will set a strong precedent for lifelong positive dental habits. It will also reduce their risk for dental problems later in life.

9. Approximately 13% of children aged 5-19 have untreated cavities.

When accounting for all types of caries, that rate increases to 43%.

10. Over 50% of children 6–8 years old have had at least one cavity in their baby teeth.

Cavities in baby or primary teeth represent a common dental problem among young children. Cavities can lead to tooth pain and difficulties eating, sleeping, and talking.

11. Children 5–19 years old belonging to low-income families are 2x more likely to develop cavities than those from higher-income families.

Socioeconomic status can significantly impact receiving proper oral health education, early interventions for dental problems, and routine check-ups. Income also affects families’ access to affordable dental care.

12. Children experiencing poor oral health are nearly 3x as likely to miss school because of pain.

Tooth pain is a common reason for kids missing school. This and related statistics highlight poor oral health’s negative effects on a child’s educational and social development.

13. Children are 3x more likely to develop cavities if they have mothers with more untreated cavities and tooth loss.

Parents with cavities and tooth decay can also have harmful oral bacteria that they can pass on to their children. Comprehensive dental care for children includes parents’ and guardians’ access to regular dental check-ups and treatments for dental problems.

Dental health and diabetes

14. Approximately 60% of adults with diabetes had no dental visit in the past year.

This figure represents U.S. adults with diabetes who have had a medical visit. The relationship between diabetes care and good oral health is well-documented.

15. Adults with diabetes are 40% more likely to have untreated cavities.

Having diabetes puts you at higher risk for many dental problems. If you have diabetes, managing your overall health includes keeping up with dental check-ups and routine cleanings.

16. Adults aged 50 and older with diabetes have fewer than 20 teeth 56% more often than people without diabetes.

People with diabetes in the same age group also have severe tooth loss—retaining eight or fewer teeth—56% more often. This level of tooth loss can be partially blamed on the conditions common among people with diabetes, including dry mouth, low blood sugar control, and certain medications that treat this chronic condition.

Smoking and dental health

17. Over 40% of adults aged 20-64 who smoke have untreated tooth decay.

Untreated tooth decay is higher in people who smoke cigarettes. Smoking is a prevalent risk factor for many dental problems. Cavities and tooth decay that do not get timely or adequate attention tend to be higher among smokers.

18. Adults over 65 who smoke regularly are 2x more likely to live with untreated tooth decay than people in the same age group who do not smoke.

Proper oral hygiene is essential for people of all ages. Tobacco use can adversely affect dental health and other aspects of well-being.

19. About 43% of people 65 and over who smoke have total tooth loss.

In addition to smoking cigarettes, using other tobacco products can also increase the risk of oral cancer and discoloration inside the mouth. If you smoke and are struggling to quit, your dentist can offer strategies to help.

Costs of dental health and economic burdens

20. Dental care costs the U.S. more than $165 billion each year.

These costs go toward preventive care, treatment for dental problems, and initiatives to promote good oral health. The overall economic burden associated with dental care also reflects inadequate access to dental care experienced by some populations and the lack of comprehensive dental insurance.

21. Over 9 million adults have lost more than 60 million work and school hours due to others’ dental and oral health issues.

The U.S. workforce loses more than $45 billion in productivity because of unplanned dental care.

22. Adults have reported missing over 243 million hours of work and school annually because of oral health issues.

Approximately 5.7 million parents have missed more than 38 million productive hours because of the oral health of their children and unplanned dental visits.

23. 13% of the U.S. population have reported cost barriers to dental care.

Meanwhile, 4-5% reported cost barriers for other healthcare services including medical, prescriptions, and mental health services.

24. Black (23%) and Hispanic (26%) adults in the U.S. face higher cost barriers to dental care compared to other race and ethnic groups.

16% of white and 11% of Asian adults in the U.S. face cost barriers when it comes to obtaining dental care. Overall, 19% of U.S. adults have not obtained needed dental care due to cost barriers.

25. 30% of U.S. adults have no dental care insurance due to cost barriers.

Across all age groups, those with private dental benefits see the lowest levels of cost barriers to dental health, compared to those with public or no dental insurance.

Dental health professionals

26. Dental offices support over 2.5 million jobs in the U.S. economy each year.

What’s more, each job in dental offices generate an additional 1.4 jobs in other economic sectors.

27. There are over one billion jobs in dental offices in the U.S.

This contributes to dentist offices’ total economic impact of $478 billion.

Financial landscape and economic outlook of the dental industry

28. The global dental market size is valued at an estimated $35 billion.

This value is expected to reach $38.9 billion by the end of 2024 and continue growing to over $95 billion by 2032.

29. The North American dental market size is currently valued at $13.7 billion.

Overall, the dental market in North America is expected to steadily grow well into the future, with the increasing demand for aesthetic dentistry fuelling this growth.

30. Dental offices in the U.S. generate an annual economic impact of $478 billion.

Looking closer, the total impact per dentist is approximately $2.36 million.

Incorporate dental industry statistics with WebFX

Whether you are a dental office, patient resource, or even a dental equipment manufacturer, staying on top of trends can help you succeed in the market. Now that you have all of this information on the dental industry, it’s time to put it to use.

WebFX stays up on dental industry updates to help our readers get the information they need. Plus, our digital marketing services can help anyone grow their business with data-backed results.

Want to learn more? Contact us online to speak with a strategist today!