Dental Care Statistics (2025) – Facts & Trends You Need to Know

By Dr. Mason Haddow

Good dental care is essential for overall health, confidence, and well-being. Yet, millions of people worldwide struggle with oral health issues due to financial barriers, lack of awareness, and access to care.

To highlight the importance of dental care, we’ve compiled the most recent statistics (2020–2024). These numbers reveal trends in dental visits, costs, insurance coverage, preventive care, and oral health’s linked to overall health.

Key Takeaways

✔ 3.5 billion people suffer from oral diseases worldwide

✔ Gum disease impacts nearly half of adults aged 30+

✔ 76.5 million U.S. adults lack dental insurance

1. General Dental Care Statistics

These stats provide a broad overview of dental health trends worldwide and in the U.S.

Over 3.5 billion people worldwide suffer from oral diseases. (WHO, 2023)
More than 90% of adults have had at least one cavity. (Global Burden of Disease Study, 2020)
Only 64% of U.S. adults visited a dentist in the past year. (CDC, 2022)
25% of U.S. adults have untreated cavities. (ADA, 2022)
Nearly 46% of U.S. adults have gum disease. (CDC, 2022)
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease worldwide. (WHO, 2023)
Oral health issues cost the global economy $387 billion annually in productivity losses. (WHO, 2022)

2. Dental Care Costs & Insurance Coverage

Many people avoid the dentist due to cost concerns. Here’s what the data shows:

The U.S. spends over $124 billion annually on dental care. (CDC, 2021)
76.5 million U.S. adults lack dental insurance. (KFF, 2023)
46% of Americans delay or skip dental care due to cost. (ADA, 2022)
A single dental implant costs between $3,000 and $5,000. (ADA, 2023)
The average cost of a routine dental cleaning in the U.S. is $75–$200. (Forbes, 2023)
Fluoridated water saves the U.S. $6.5 billion annually in dental costs. (CDC, 2021)

3. Dental Visits & Preventive Care

Regular check-ups prevent serious dental issues.

Only 50% of Americans visit the dentist twice a year, as recommended. (ADA, 2023)
40% of adults only visit a dentist when they have a problem. (CDC, 2022)
Fluoride varnish reduces cavities in children by 33%. (CDC, 2022)
Dental sealants prevent 80% of cavities on molars. (CDC, 2023)

4. Pediatric Dental Care Statistics

Dental care starts early in life.

Over 50% of children (ages 6-8) have had a cavity in their baby teeth. (CDC, 2023)
Children from low-income families are twice as likely to have cavities. (CDC, 2022)
38% of children have lost sleep due to tooth pain. (OHID, 2022)
Children with poor oral health are 3x more likely to miss school. (AAPD, 2021)

5. Adult & Senior Dental Care Statistics

Older adults often face significant dental challenges.

25% of U.S. seniors (65+) have lost all their teeth. (CDC, 2023)
42% of West Virginians aged 65+ are completely toothless. (CDC, 2022)
23% of adults over 65 have severe gum disease. (CDC, 2023)

6. Dental Care & Chronic Diseases

Oral health is connected to overall health.

People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop gum disease. (NIH, 2021)
Periodontitis increases the risk of heart disease by 30%. (NIH, 2021)
Oral bacteria have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease. (Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 2022)

7. Cosmetic & Restorative Dental Care Trends

More people are investing in their smiles.

Teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure. (ADA, 2023)
Over 2.3 million Americans get dental implants yearly. (AAID, 2023)

8. The Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Care

The pandemic disrupted dental care worldwide.

40% of Americans skipped dental visits in 2020 due to COVID-19. (ADA, 2021)
Cavity rates increased by 30% among children due to missed care. (CDC, 2023)

Final Thoughts: What These Stats Tell Us

These statistics highlight the urgent need for better dental care access. Oral diseases affect billions of people, yet most cases are preventable.

Want to stay on top of your oral health? Brush twice a day, floss, and more importantly, schedule regular check-ups!