High Dental Costs: Barriers to Care for Low-Income Individuals & Families

The High Cost of Dental Care: A Barrier for Low-Income Individuals and Families Access to affordable dental care remains a significant challenge for many, especially those with low incomes. Let's explore the data that highlights this issue:1. High Insurance Premiums, Excluding Treatment Costs:* The National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) reported that in 2020, the average annual cost of dental insurance premiums alone was /$360 for an individual and /$680 for a family. These figures don't even include out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, copayments, or the price of actual treatments. (Source: NADP, 2020 Dental Benefits Report)2. Cost as a Barrier to Dental Visits:* A staggering 35.6% of adults in the United States skipped dental visits in 2019 due to cost, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). This disparity is even more pronounced among low-income individuals: 59.2% of adults below the federal poverty level went without dental care in the past year. (Source: ADA, 2019 Oral Health and Well-Being Survey)3. Dental Expenses Strain Low-Income Budgets:* Research published in Health Affairs revealed that dental care represented a hefty 10% of all out-of-pocket healthcare spending for low-income adults in the United States. This percentage surpasses any other type of healthcare service, highlighting the disproportionate financial burden of dental care. (Source: Vujicic et al., 2017, 'Dental Care Presents The Highest Level Of Financial Barriers, Compared To Other Types Of Health Care Services.')4. Children's Dental Needs Left Unmet:* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted the National Health Interview Survey, finding that in 2019, financial constraints prevented 13% of children aged 2-17 years from receiving necessary dental care. (Source: CDC, National Health Interview Survey, 2019)**Conclusion:**This data paints a clear picture: the high cost of dental care creates a significant barrier for low-income individuals and families, leading to unmet dental needs and potentially serious health consequences.