People who visit the dentist at least once a year are 22 percent more likely to report that their overall well-being—including their physical and emotional health—is as good or better than those who seldom visit the dentist, according to the Delta Dental Oral Health and Well-Being Survey.
About 1,000 adults from across the U.S. were surveyed and results(www.deltadental.com/Public/NewsMedia/NewsRelease DentistLinkedWithOverallWell201405.jsp) were released May 6. Those who visit the dentist more often were 37 percent more likely to report their oral health as good or better than those who seldom visit a dentist.
The survey also found that most (86 percent) Americans making $100,000 a year or more visit the dentist at least once annually compared with 46 percent of Americans making less than $25,000. About eight of 10 college-educated adults (83 percent) had regular dental visits. More than half of Americans without a college degree, about six of 10 (59 percent) visit the dentist once a year.