28 September 2022

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Zocdoc data suggests renewed dedication to dental care among patients in 2022

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As people head back to the dentist, some for the first time in years, Zocdoc is looking at how people are engaging with dentists and other oral specialists compared to a year ago.

The organization’s data shows that appointments are on the rise across the board, suggesting that people are becoming more comfortable getting back in the exam chair.

Routine dental visits are back

At the onset of the pandemic, nearly half of U.S. adults put off dental care, and professional dental services fell by over 75%. Zocdoc data from the latest Dental Download now shows that people are catching up on those missed appointments, with some using the lapse in appointments or a geographic move to find a new provider.

Between August 2021 - August 2022:

• Dental appointments increased by 10%

• New patient dental exam appointments increased by 18%

Dental damage control is underway

Unfortunately, putting off routine care during the pandemic has resulted in serious dental issues for some patients. Root canals are necessary when cavities go untreated for too long, among other reasons, and these appointments are on the rise, along with other dental surgery appointments.

Between August 2021 - August 2022:

• Root canal appointments increased by 20%

• Wisdom tooth appointments increased by 17%

Stress is impacting minds, mouths

Stress levels have intensified over the last two years, but Zocdoc data indicates that this stress has taken a serious toll on not just our mental health, but also our mouths. With stress being a leading cause and risk factor for bruxism — also known as teeth grinding — data found that Google searches for bruxism significantly increased starting in 2020.

Dentists say they are seeing the effects of this stress as well.

According to Zocdoc data, between August 2021 - August 2022:

• Cracked tooth repair appointments increased by 43%

• Temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, pain appointments increased by 33%

• Dental pain appointments increased by 32%

• Gum disease or gingivitis, and bleeding gum appointments increased by 22%

People prioritize their pearly whites

As mask mandates continue to ease and our pearly whites are once again front and center, Zocdoc data suggests a renewed interest from people in making sure they are looking their best.

Between August 2021 - August 2022:

• Invisalign appointments increased by 32%

• Dental implant appointments increased by 17%

• Broken tooth appointments increased by 16%

About Zocdoc

Zocdoc is a leading digital health care marketplace for in-person or virtual care. Each month, millions of people use our free service, via Zocdoc.com or the Zocdoc app, to find in-network doctors, instantly book in-person or virtual appointments, read reviews from verified users, get reminders for upcoming appointments and preventive checkups, and more. Read more about Dental Download in the company’s news release.