Checkups, fillings, teeth cleanings – sure, Delta Dental of New Jersey can help with those, but they want to do even more.
CEO Dennis Wilson has long been a strong advocate for the idea that good oral health is good for overall health, including behavioral health, and for expanding access and equity for our most vulnerable populations.
“Delta Dental of New Jersey is committed to creating solutions that improve overall health and wellness, including our recently developed special medical needs benefit,” he said. “This benefit provides patients with dental coverage for additional exams, extra cleanings and more, helping to improve access to dental care, an unmet medical need for millions of Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other special medical needs.”
Wilson and Delta Dental are leading the charge and their efforts are garnering praise and understanding.
The recent 2024 American Oral Health and Wellness Report, a national analysis of consumer opinions and behaviors regarding oral hygiene released by Delta Dental of New Jersey, revealed a strong consumer understanding that oral hygiene plays an important role in overall health.
An overwhelming majority of adults (91%) believe dental checkups are as important as annual physicals.
The report also found that there is growing awareness among adults about the link between oral health and certain health conditions and diseases, such as respiratory disease and diabetes. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z and millennials, will most likely appreciate this link, which extends to behavioral health.
“The results of this year’s report show a link between oral health and its impact on mental health, with 92% of adults agreeing that good oral health makes them feel more confident,” Mr Wilson said.
Delta Dental commissioned the survey of 2,000 U.S. adults and parents with children under the age of 12. Key findings include:
Good oral health supports mental health
- More than nine in ten adults (92%) believe taking action to protect their oral health would make them feel more confident.
- More than three in four adults (77%) say their oral health and mental health are closely related.
Increased preventive oral care pays off
- More than eight in 10 adults (83%) who visit a dentist in 2023 will do so for preventive care, up from 78% in 2022.
- Notably, unplanned dental visits among adults will decline accordingly, from 41% in 2022 to 36% in 2023.
Teledentistry becomes more common
- Nearly half of adults would use teledentistry when seeking oral health care (47%), and more than half say they would trust teledentistry (54%).
- Gen Z and millennials are more likely to use teledentistry and trust the care they receive through these services.
