Dental Care Unaffordable for Low-Income Individuals: Data & Statistics

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the cost of dental treatments has been consistently rising over the years, making them unaffordable for many low-income individuals and families. Here are some data to support this idea:

1. The National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) reported that in 2020, the average cost of a routine dental exam was $90. This cost can increase significantly for more complex procedures like crowns, root canals, or orthodontic treatments.

Source: National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) - Dental Benefits Pricing Report 2020.

2. A study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that in 2019, 35% of adults with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level did not visit a dentist due to cost. This indicates the financial burden of dental treatments on low-income individuals and families.

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) - Oral Health in Rural America: Part II: A Review of Access to Oral Health Services.

3. The Health Policy Institute (HPI) of the ADA reported that in 2018, 8.8% of children and 4.3% of adults had unmet dental needs due to cost. This shows that affordability issues prevent some individuals, especially those from low-income backgrounds, from accessing necessary dental care.

Source: American Dental Association (ADA) - Oral Health and Well-Being in the United States.

4. The ADA Health Policy Institute's analysis of 2019 data revealed that 52% of adults aged 18-64 with private dental benefits delayed or avoided dental care due to cost concerns. Low-income individuals are more likely to delay or forgo necessary dental treatments when faced with high costs.

Source: American Dental Association (ADA) - Dental Care Utilization Continues to Decline Among Working-Age Adults.

Please note that while these sources provide data supporting the idea that dental treatments are often expensive and unaffordable for low-income individuals and families, it is important to consult additional research and sources for a comprehensive understanding of the topic.