INSIGHTS

Actionable solutions

The Delta Dental Institute conducts, supports, and promotes research to help policymakers, educators, health care practitioners, businesses, and families make informed decisions about oral health. We partner with leading scientists, academic institutions, health care groups, and other organizations to explore important oral health topics and produce data-driven insights in pursuit of actionable solutions for improved oral and overall health.

Findings

Across the country, Delta Dental companies are tackling the most important issues in oral health care. Check out recent research from within the Delta Dental system.

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Improving America's Oral Health Literacy

Delta Dental Institute

Download our new white paper

Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation

Dental Hygiene Workforce in Iowa: Snapshot and Recommendations for a Workforce Monitoring System

In response to a need for more information about the hygienist workforce in Iowa, this report compiles data on dental hygienists from stakeholders across the state and serves as a guide for monitoring dental hygiene workforce trends in the future.

Delta Dental of Kentucky

Making Smiles Happen: 2016 Oral Health Study of Kentucky's Youth

The first statewide survey of its kind conducted in 15 years, the study analyzes the oral health status of third- and sixth-grade students and uses the research as a basis for recommendations to improve the oral health of Kentucky's population.

Delta Dental of Michigan Research and Data Institute

Ultrasound Technology for Improved Dental Implants

This study examines the effectiveness of high-resolution ultrasound technologies in assisting with successful dental implant placement and assessment. It is potentially a valuable tool in evaluating long-term peri-implant tissue stability without the concerns of exposure to ionizing radiation.

Expert voices

Defining racism as a social determinant of health

By Kenzie Ferguson, Vice President of Foundation and Corporate Social Responsibility of Delta Dental of California

- Jul 24 2020

Why public health matters

Vanetta Abdellatif, President and CEO, Arcora Foundation, the Foundation of Delta Dental of Washington

- May 21 2020

Maintaining good oral health at home during the COVID-19 pandemic

Delta Dental

- May 21 2020

Dental care facts

Fact 1

Good oral health has a positive effect on overall health and well-being.

According to the FDI World Dental Federation, research shows having a healthy smile improves social interaction, communication, and the ability to perform well in work and school.

Fact 2

Oral disease can exacerbate other health problems.

According to the Institute of Medicine, infections that begin in the mouth can travel throughout the body. Additionally, oral disease is associated with poor health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

For example, the American Academy of Periodontology states that diabetes may increase the risk for periodontal disease and that managing periodontal disease may improve diabetes control.

Fact 3

Oral disease has substantial negative impacts on children's health.

Untreated dental disease can lead to problems with eating, speaking, and learning, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' "Oral Health In America" report. A 2016 Delta Dental survey found that American children miss more than nine million full school days each year due to oral health problems.

Fact 4

The current status of dental coverage in the U.S. lags behind health coverage.

While 91 percent of Americans had medical insurance at the end of 2016, only 77 percent had dental insurance.

Fact 5

People with dental insurance are more likely to get the dental care they need.

A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that having dental insurance resulted in increased dental visits and reduced unmet needs for dental care.

A 2016 Delta Dental survey found that people with dental coverage are 78 percent more likely to seek preventive or restorative care.

Fact 6

Helping Americans get access to dental coverage will reduce the number of people going to the emergency room for dental problems and consequently reduce medical costs.

Data shows untreated, often preventable, oral diseases send more than 2.1 million Americans to the emergency room each year.

A Health Policy Institute study found that moving people out of the emergency room and into the dentist’s office would improve Americans’ overall health while saving $1.7 billion a year.

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