23 June 2021

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Delta Dental: Virginians to return to the dentist office

Katherine E. Pfaff

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Dental insurance carrier company, Delta Dental of Virginia, shared results of a recent survey of potential patients in the state that indicates patients are planning to return to in-person appointments. The Delta Dental survey found that 73% of state residents intend to visit the dentist one or two times over the next year.  On top of that, 94% of survey respondents indicated they planned to make at least one appointment over the next 12 months. At the same time, 35% of Virginians reported hesitancy about in-person visits to the dentist.

 Another factor involved in the decision to make in-person appointments was insurance, according to the survey. Virginians with dental insurance reported higher intention to make appointments: 79% of those insured planned to see their dentist one or two times in the next year. That compares to 57% of those who are not insured. Among uninsured patients, 17% did not plan to visit the dentist in the next 12 months.  More than a quarter (26%) of those who were uninsured in 2020 cited the lack of coverage as their reason for not visiting a dentist in that year. According to a majority of respondents to the survey (77%), dental coverage (and typical total coverage of regular check-up appointments) provided motivation to maintain quality oral health, including visits to the dentist. 

The study, "Delta Dental of Virginia's Thoughts on Dental Insurance Survey," was held May 26 to 27, 2021, and included a representative sample of 250 state residents. 

Source:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/despite-continued-covid-concerns-virginians-appear-ready-to-return-to-the-dentist-301310420.html