Adult dental visits

Adult dental visits by population characteristics:

• State of Minnesota
• Sex
• Race and ethnicity
• Income
• Education
• Disability status

Adult dental visits by health behavior and disease:

• Smoking status
• Diabetes status
• Heart disease

We analyzed the prevalence of adult dental visits by sex, age group, race and ethnicity, income, education, health literacy, disability status, smoking status, diabetes, heart disease and chronic kidney disease. Below we report on factors in Minnesota that are statistically significant.

Seven in 10 adults have yearly dental visits

Yearly dental visits are important to maintain healthy gums and teeth, prevent dental disease, and identify any treatment needs.  In 2016, 73% of Minnesota adults reported visiting a dentist or dental clinic within the past year, compared to 65% of U.S. adults (65.1%, 95% CI = 64.8 to 65.4, n = 486,303).

In 2016, Minnesota females were 1.1 times more likely to have visited a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to Minnesota males. U.S. females were 1.1 times more likely to have visited a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to U.S. males.

In 2016, compared to Minnesota White adults, non-White (African American or Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic and Other race) adults were 1.2 times less likely and Hispanic adults were 1.4 times less likely to have visited a dentist or dental clinic within the past year.

In the United States, non-White, non-Asian adults were less likely to have visited a dentist or dental clinic within the past year, compared to White and Asian adults.  

In 2016, Minnesota adults with a household income less than $35K were 1.4 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to adults with a household income of $35K or more.

U.S. adults with a household income less than $35K were 1.5 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to adults with a household income of $35K or more. 

In 2016, Minnesota adults with less than a high school degree were 1.6 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to adults with a college degree.

U.S. adults with less than a high school degree were 1.8 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to adults with a college degree.

In 2016, Minnesota adults with a disability were 1.2 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to Minnesota adults without a disability. U.S. adults with a disability were 1.2 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to U.S. adults without a disability. Access to dental clinics that are able to accommodate people with disabilities is one of the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

In 2016, Minnesota current smokers were 1.3 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to never smokers. 

In the United States, current smokers were 1.4 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to never smokers.

Smokers are at increased risk for tooth decay, infections, periodontal disease (gum infection that destroys bone that leads to tooth loss) and oral and pharyngeal (mouth and throat) cancers. Regular visits to the dentist are important for early detection and treatment of these oral diseases.     

In 2016, Minnesota adults with diabetes were 1.1 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to Minnesota adults without diabetes. U.S. adults with diabetes were 1.1 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to U.S. adults without diabetes.

People with uncontrolled diabetes have decreased saliva flow, increased thickening of blood vessels, and consistently higher blood sugar that weakens the body’s defense against bacterial infections. As a result, people with uncontrolled diabetes experience an increased risk of dry mouth, gum inflammation, thrush (fungal infection of the mouth and tongue) and periodontal disease (gum infection that destroys bone that leads to tooth loss). 

Working with a primary care doctor or endocrinologist (diabetes doctor) to control blood sugar and regular visits to the eye doctor, foot doctor, and dentist to maintain good eye, foot, and oral health will benefit overall health.   

In 2016, Minnesota adults with cardiovascular disease were 1.2 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to adults without cardiovascular disease.

U.S. adults with cardiovascular disease were 1.3 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to adults without cardiovascular disease.   

It is important for people with cardiovascular disease (CVD) to have regular visits to the dentist as oral disease causing bacteria can travel to the heart and develop into a heart infection (endocarditis). Also, inflammation is a shared risk factor of both CVD and periodontal disease (gum infection that destroys bone that leads to tooth loss). Reducing inflammation by preventing or treating tooth decay and gum disease may improve cardiovascular health.