Those With Dental Insurance Visit Dentist More Often

By Susan Braden

Do you need to visit the dentist more often, but don’t want to pay such high prices? Dental insurance aims to let you do both. Studies show that people with comprehensive coverage are more likely to visit the dentist. 

Statistics

The National Center for Health Statistics reported in 2008 that 75% of people under the age of 65 with private health insurance had some sort of oral health coverage. The report said it analyzed, “dental insurance status for persons...who have private health insurance because of the limited or nonexistent public coverage for dental care.”

Studies also show that those with private dental insurance plans visit the dentist more times per year than those without the same coverage, thus making insurance one of the main indicators of access to oral care in the United States. Children’s plans are also included in public assistance measures that require states to provide limited coverage and services.

Out of approximately 172 million people under 65 who had private health coverage, 73% had some type of coverage. 45 million, however, had no coverage at all. About 80% of people with employment-based health insurance had coverage, opposed to about 30% who did not. It was also found that African Americans were more likely to be covered than Caucasians, Asians, and Hispanics. The income level and the percentage of those insured was inversely related.

Investigating your dental insurance plan options may be your first step in achieving excellent oral hygiene. A quick Google search may reveal affordable plans in your area.