Dental Insurance Gap Widens Across the United States
Nearly 72 million American adults lack dental insurance — nearly three times more than those without health coverage. The 2024 SOHEA survey exposes critical disparities tied to income, age, and race, revealing how fragmented coverage fuels poor oral and systemic health outcomes.
According to CareQuest Institute for Oral Health’s 2024 State of Oral Health Equity in America (SOHEA) survey, an alarming 27% of United States adults, roughly 72 million people, do not have dental insurance. This figure stands in stark contrast to the 9.5% of adults without health insurance, highlighting a persistent and growing coverage gap that jeopardizes both oral and overall health.
Despite increasing awareness of the connections between oral health and systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dementia, dental care continues to be siloed from broader health care coverage. The SOHEA survey, the largest of its kind focused on oral health in the US, reveals stark inequities in dental insurance coverage based on age, income, education, and race.
Adults with lower levels of education and income are significantly more likely to lack dental insurance. Nearly 40% of adults without a high school diploma report being uninsured for dental care, compared to just 18% of those with postgraduate degrees. Income plays a similarly predictive role: 38% of adults in households earning under $30,000 annually lack dental insurance, versus only 17% of those earning more than $100,000.
Racial and ethnic disparities are also apparent. Hispanic adults reported the highest rates of being uninsured for dental care at 30%, while Asian/Pacific Islander adults reported the lowest at 19%. Younger adults (ages 18–29) and older adults (60+) were more likely to be without dental insurance compared to middle-aged individuals.
Coverage type matters, too. Roughly one-third of adults with Medicaid or Medicare lack dental insurance. And among those without any health insurance, a staggering 83% also have no dental coverage. While Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited dental benefits, traditional Medicare provides none. Medicaid dental benefits vary by state and often exclude comprehensive adult dental coverage.
The consequences are serious: delayed care, increased disease burden, and higher health care costs. Research shows improving access to dental care could reduce chronic disease risks and save the health care system up to $100 million annually. Yet, policy gaps in Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act Marketplace continue to leave millions without vital oral health services. Click here to read more.
