Millennials lead the pack when it comes to being better off than five years ago

Survey says age group also most optimistic about their well-being this year

OAK BROOK, Illinois - October 5, 2016 - It's good to be a Millennial these days. According to survey results out today from Delta Dental, 42 percent of Millennials say they are better off today compared to just five years ago while more than one third say their well-being will improve this year, the highest percentages out of all age groups over the age of 18.

Millennials come out way ahead of the 65 plus bunch, where only 23 percent say their well-being is better today than five years ago, and only slightly ahead of younger Gen Xers (39 percent). Since the survey is from Delta Dental, of course there's an oral health angle—people who take the best care of their teeth tend to have the best outlook.

Other findings from the survey:

Thirty-seven percent of Millennials say it's extremely likely their well-being will improve this year, compared to 29 percent of younger Gen Xers and just 11 percent of those aged 65 plus.  Regionally, people in the South are the most optimistic with 38 percent reporting they are better off today than five years ago (compared to the West and Midwest: 33 percent and the Northeast: 32 percent). Thirty percent of Southerners report it's extremely likely their overall well-being will improve this year (leading over the Midwest: 26 percent; the Northeast: 25 percent; and the West: 24 percent). Parents vs. Non-parents: Parents report they're both better off than five years ago (40 percent) and it's extremely likely their well-being will improve this year (32 percent) compared to non-parents with only 31 percent saying they're doing better than five years ago and 23 percent who say it's extremely likely they'll see improvements this year.  What do teeth have to do with it? People who give their oral health an "A" grade are much more optimistic, with 42 percent saying their well-being is better today than five years ago (compared to those who give their oral health a lesser grade: 33 percent) and 43 percent reporting it's extremely likely their well-being will improve this year (compared to 23 percent of those who grade their oral health less than an "A").

"While good oral health is increasingly being tied to better overall health, this data shows it also has a lot to do with someone's outlook. It's clear that people who have a healthy smile tend to be more optimistic," said Jennifer Elliott, vice president of marketing for Delta Dental Plans Association.

About the Survey: The Adult Oral Health Survey was conducted between December 16, 2015 and January 14, 2016 among a nationally representative sample of 1,025 Americans 18+. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percent. For a copy of the survey, please email: dirwin@deltadental.com

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