Americans Continue To Delay Dental Care Due To Financial Concerns, Despite Knowing Long-Term Financial Implications

SYRACUSE, N.Y., April 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly two in five American adults (39 percent) say they have limited or will delay dental care due to their financial situation, a number that has increased by nearly eight percent in the past two years. And they're making the decision despite knowing the long-term financial implications -- 80 percent are aware that postponing or delaying routine visits will cost them more money in the long run. A survey of more than 1,000 adults was conducted by ORC International and commissioned by Aspen Dental Management, Inc.

Among the other key findings of the survey:

• More than half of survey respondents (53 percent) consider routine dental visits for exams and cleanings a "nice to have" that can be delayed.
• Nearly one in five respondents (17%) would fix problems with their car ahead of addressing pain in their mouth.

"For millions of Americans, life is made up of hard financial choices, and unfortunately, dental care has become discretionary, a 'nice to have' rather than a 'must do,'" says Dr. Schatzie Vincent, director of clinical support and community giving at Aspen Dental Management, Inc. "The dentists and teams at Aspen Dental-branded practices believe that everyone deserves a healthy mouth, and are committed to breaking down barriers that have kept people from getting the dental care they need."

Americans who delay dental care face serious long-term dental problems. More than two million visits are made to hospital emergency rooms each year for dental pain, where treatment is nearly ten times more expensive than the cost of preventive care.[1] Emergency room visits for dental care are on the rise, and cost nearly $1 billion a year.[2] In addition to the financial implications, research shows that poor oral health can increase the risk for other serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and Alzheimer's.[3]

The Healthy Mouth Movement Is Bringing Relief to Those in Need
To bridge the oral healthcare gap and provide much needed care to those in need, the dentists and staff at Aspen Dental-branded practices across the country are volunteering their time and talents once again in 2015 through the Healthy Mouth Movement.

The Healthy Mouth Movement is a community giving initiative launched by Aspen Dental Management, Inc. and the dental practices it supports in 2014 to deliver free dental care and oral health education to people in need across the United States. In its inaugural year, the Healthy Mouth Movement served close to 3,000 patients by nearly 2,000 team members from Aspen Dental-branded practices, who delivered more than $1 million in free dental care, through free days of service in hundreds of practices and via the Aspen Dental MouthMobile, a fully-equipped dental office on wheels.

This year the Healthy Mouth Movement will focus efforts on serving those who have served our nation -- veterans --  to empower them by helping address their oral health issues. The Aspen Dental MouthMobile will travel to communities throughout the U.S. in partnership with local veterans' organizations, and participating Aspen Dental-branded practices will open for one day for free care for veterans later this year.

The Healthy Mouth Movement kicks off today as the MouthMobile makes its first of 28 stops in Phoenix, Arizona. 

As part of this commitment, Aspen Dental Management, Inc. is proud to partner with Got Your 6, a highly influential campaign that helps strengthen communities and empower veterans nationwide. Got Your 6- meaning "I got your back" - focuses on six key pillars of veteran reintegration, including leadership, health and education.

"Got Your 6 believes that our veterans have the unique opportunity to strengthen and reinvigorate their communities.  Aspen Dental's support helps our veterans to successfully reintegrate and ensures that they are seen as the civic assets that they are," says Chris Marvin, Managing Director of Got Your 6. "We are excited to partner with the Healthy Mouth Movement as we work to empower veterans and support them as leaders in our communities."

For more information, visit www.HealthyMouthMovement.com.

About Aspen Dental Practices
Dentists and staff at Aspen Dental-branded practices believe everyone has the right to quality, affordable oral health care. As one of the largest and fastest-growing networks of independent dental care providers in the U.S., local Aspen Dental practices – nearly 500 of them across 30 states – offer patients a safe, welcoming and judgment-free environment to address their dental challenges. Every Aspen Dental-branded practice offers a full range of dental and denture services – including comprehensive exams, cleanings, extractions, fillings, periodontal treatment, whitening, oral surgery, crown and bridge work – allowing patients to have the peace of mind that they are taken care of and protected, so they can focus on getting the healthy mouth they deserve. In 2014, Aspen Dental-branded practices recorded more than 3.4 million patient visits and welcomed nearly 750,000 new patients.

About Aspen Dental Management Inc.
Aspen Dental Management Inc. (ADMI) is a dental support organization that provides non-clinical business support services to independently owned and operated dental practices in approximately 30 states. This can include services and recommendations related to finding the right location, leasing, IT services, accounting and marketing. This model leaves independent, licensed practitioners free to concentrate on patient care.

To learn more about Aspen Dental-branded practices and services, preview the patient experience, get answers to general treatment questions, find a location, and schedule appointments, visit www.aspendental.com.  To learn more about careers at ADMI and Aspen Dental practices, visit http://aspendentaljobs.com.

About Got Your 6
Got Your 6 is a collective impact campaign that works to bridge the military-civilian divide. Combining the reach and resources of the entertainment industry with the expertise and commitment from veteran-focused non-profit and government partners, the campaign works to advance the conversation in America so veterans and military families are seen as leaders and civic assets who will invigorate our communities. In 2013 and 2014, Got Your 6 distributed grants totaling over $4 million to their veteran-focused non-profit partners. For more information, visit www.gotyour6.org. Be the Change, Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, is the organizing body and fiscal sponsor of Got Your 6.

SOURCE Aspen Dental

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