#United States #Chicago #oral health #Delta Dental #Wellness Report

Delta Dental's 2026 State of America's Oral Health Report

Delta Dental has recently published its 2026 State of America's Oral Health and Wellness Report, which provides a comprehensive look into the attitudes and behaviors regarding oral health among the American public. The sixth iteration of this report reveals that a remarkable 91% of adults now consider oral health to be a pivotal part of their overall health. This recognition underscores the important role that oral hygiene plays not only in physical health but also in mental wellbeing and quality of life.

One of the most striking trends identified in this year's report is the increasing acknowledgment among adults about how oral health relates to various systemic diseases. Awareness of the connections between oral hygiene and chronic conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, and dementia has notably risen in 2026. Particularly among younger age groups, like Gen Z, there is a significant shift towards recognizing this relationship. A remarkable 94% of Gen Z respondents affirm that oral health is either very or extremely important to their wellbeing, a marked increase from 89% in the previous year.

James W. Hutchison, President and CEO of Delta Dental Plans Association, stated, "Oral health is playing an increasingly important role in how adults define overall well-being. As awareness grows, particularly among younger adults, it creates powerful momentum to advance prevention, expand access, and drive better long-term health outcomes." Delta Dental continues to champion oral health as an essential component of life-long wellness, underlining its commitment as a leading dental benefits provider.

Key Findings from the Report

The report outlines several critical findings:
1. Preventive Care Gains Momentum: An overwhelming 90% of adults now equate preventive dental exams with the importance of an annual physical check-up, a change from 87% in 2025.
- Geographic disparities persist, with urban residents reporting higher preventive dental care visits than their rural counterparts (53% vs. 40%).

2. Gen Z's Evolving Perspective: Over 81% of Gen Z respondents now acknowledge that their oral health significantly impacts their mental wellbeing, a jump from 73% in 2025. Moreover, nearly 48% of these respondents rate their oral health positively, a significant increase from 31% last year.

3. Children's Oral Health Skews Positive: The report indicates that 95% of parents prioritize their child's oral health, and 78% rated their child's oral condition as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, marking the highest ratings seen in five years.

Research Methodology

The insights for the 2026 State of America's Oral Health and Wellness Report were derived from an external market research firm, Material Holdings, LLC. This research was conducted between January 5 and January 15, 2026, via an email invitation and online surveys using a nationally representative sample of 1,000 U.S. adults aged 18 and over and 1,000 parents of children aged 12 and under. The findings include demographic quotas to ensure accurate representation of the diverse U.S. population, with a margin of error of +/- 3%.

About Delta Dental

Founded in Chicago, Illinois, the Delta Dental Plans Association stands as a non-profit national organization comprising independent Delta Dental companies. Delta Dental is recognized as the largest provider of dental benefits in the nation, boasting an extensive network of approximately 151,000 participating dentists. Throughout its operations, Delta Dental has invested over $2.3 billion over the past fifteen years into initiatives aimed at enhancing the oral and overall health of communities across the country.

For further information regarding individual and group dental insurance plans, please visit deltadental.com.