Delta Dental report: Preventive dental visits strong as at-home oral health care softens

CHICAGO, Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of National Dental Hygiene Month, Delta Dental highlights key findings from its 2025 State of America's Oral Health and Wellness Report, a nationwide analysis of consumer opinions and behaviors related to oral health.

The report finds that 87% of adults consider dental appointments as important as their annual physical exam. In 2024, the frequency of preventive visits remained strong for adults and children, while unexpected visits declined for both groups.

While most U.S. adults and children maintain strong at-home oral health habits, some key practices, such as proper brushing and daily flossing, have declined over the past year.

"Our report shows that while Americans continue to prioritize good oral health, there are clear opportunities for improvement," said James W. Hutchison, President & CEO, Delta Dental Plans Association. "For example, habits like brushing twice daily and flossing have declined over the past year, even as adults recognize the importance of proper oral care. By committing to consistent at-home care and regular dental visits, we can help drive meaningful improvements in overall health outcomes for generations to come."

Additional findings from the 2025 State of America's Oral Health and Wellness Report include:

Adults' at-home oral care habits

• Brushing: 74% of adults report brushing twice per day, down from 79% in 2024.
• Flossing: 71% of adults report flossing once per day, down from 76% in 2024.
• Rinsing: 66% of adults use mouthwash daily, down from 74% in 2024.

Children's at-home oral care habits

• Brushing: 67% of children brush twice per day, down from 72% in 2024.
• Flossing: 50% of children floss once per day, unchanged from 2024.
• Rinsing: 46% of children use mouthwash daily, down from 54% in 2024.

Dental anxiety as a barrier to care

• More than 1 in 5 adults (21%) have avoided dental care due to anxiety, and 1 in 7 parents (14%) have skipped taking their children to the dentist for the same reason.
• Fear of pain or discomfort was the most commonly reported cause of dental visit anxiety among adults (59%) and children (72%).

To read the full 2025 State of America's Oral Health and Wellness Report and learn more about the report's methodology and findings, click here.

About the report
Delta Dental Plans Association commissioned a third-party market research firm, Material Holdings, LLC, to undertake research that formed the basis for this report. Material conducted its research between January 9 and January 23, 2025, using an email invitation and online surveys of two audiences recruited through an opt-in panel:

• 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 18+
• 1,000 parents of children ages 12 and under

Geographic distribution quotas were set to ensure a reliable and accurate representation of the U.S. population of adults and parents with children ages 12 and under. Research in this report has a margin of error of +/- 3%.

About Delta Dental Plans Association
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Delta Dental Plans Association is the not-for-profit national association of the 39 independent Delta Dental companies. Through these companies, Delta Dental is the nation's largest dental benefits provider and offers the country's largest dental network with approximately 151,000 participating dentists. Over the last 15 years, Delta Dental companies and their foundations invested over $2.3 billion to improve the oral and overall health of our communities.

Visit deltadental.com for information on individual dental insurance plans and group dental insurance plans.

SOURCE Delta Dental Plans Association