Survey of dental care across upstate NY found many adults didn't visit a dentist in the past year

Rochester, NY - Across upstate New York, between 28-38 percent of adults did not visit a dentist within the past year, according to the results of a new survey commissioned by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

“The lack of annual routine dental care by such a large segment of the population is surprising, because 76 percent of respondents report having a regular dentist,” said Martin Lustick, M.D., corporate medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. The American Dental Association recommends that everyone visit his/her dentist for an exam and cleaning at least once a year (and preferably once every six months).  

Good dental care isn’t just about checking for cavities and gum disease. Many diseases that affect the entire body often first become apparent as mouth lesions or other oral problems. More than 90 percent of all systemic diseases produce oral signs and symptoms, reports the Academy of General Dentistry.

The following health conditions may be identified by a dentist during a routine oral exam:

  •  Diabetes
  •  GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
  •  Cancers of the head, neck, mouth and throat
  •  Osteoporosis
  •  AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)
  •  Autoimmune diseases, including Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus  
  •  Celiac disease
  •  Anemia
  •  Chronic kidney disease

“People should view routine dental care the same way they view other routine medical care, such as wellness visits, standard immunizations, and screenings for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and various cancers,” said Dr. Lustick. “You shouldn’t just go to the dentist when you think there’s something wrong.”  

Excellus BCBS commissioned One Research to conduct an online general population survey of adults who live in 39 upstate New York counties and are ages 18 and older. Two-thousand individuals completed the survey. Data were weighted to census targets of age, sex, race and ethnicity, and were tested at a 95 percent confidence interval, assuring that results accurately represent upstate New York adults.  

Respondents’ top three reasons for not visiting a dentist:

  • 40 percent believe there is no need if they don’t have signs of a tooth problem
  • 24 percent are concerned about the cost
  • 16 percent expressed fear

Among adults who do not receive once-a-year cleanings, about one-third said a cash incentive or gift card would motivate them to get cleanings. Seventeen percent want a dentist located closer to where they live or work, and 16 percent want a dentist who participates in their dental insurance network.  

“For help finding a dentist who meets your needs, visit your health insurer’s website,” advised Dr. Lustick, “which may list nearby dentists who accept new patients.”  

About Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, a nonprofit independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, is part of a family of companies that finances and delivers vital health care services to about 1.5 million people across upstate New York. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield provides access to high-quality, affordable health coverage, including valuable health-related resources that our members use every day, such as cost-saving prescription drug discounts and wellness tracking tools. To learn more, visit excellusbcbs.com.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 34 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans.

 

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies.