Adult dental visits

Adult dental visits by population characteristics:

Adult dental visits by health behavior and disease:

We analyzed the prevalence of adult dental visits by sex, age group, race and ethnicity, income, education, health literacy, disability status, smoking status, diabetes, heart disease and chronic kidney disease. Below we report on factors in Minnesota that are statistically significant.

Seven in 10 adults have yearly dental visits

7 out of every 10
Minnesota adults (18 years and older)

 

(73.4%, 95% CI = 72.6 to 74.2; n = 16,831)

Have at least one past year dental visit
2016

Yearly dental visits are important to maintain healthy gums and teeth, prevent dental disease, and identify any treatment needs.  In 2016, 73% of Minnesota adults reported visiting a dentist or dental clinic within the past year, compared to 65% of U.S. adults (65.1%, 95% CI = 64.8 to 65.4, n = 486,303).

 

Past year dental visit by sex, 2016

 

Source: Minnesota Department of Health. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

 

At least one past year dental visit

Male

Female

United States

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

136,773

192,198

 

Percent of adults aged 18 years and older

62.2%

67.8%

 

95% Confidence Interval

61.8 to 62.6

67.4 to 68.2

Minnesota

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

5,654

6,952

 

Percent of adults aged 18 years and older

69.5%

77.1%

 

95% Confidence Interval

68.3 to 70.8

76.0 to 78.2

 

Data is based on survey respondent report of at least one past year visit to a dentist or dental clinic.  Total sample size = 486,303 (United States) and 16,831 (Minnesota).  Data is weighted to reflect population characteristics.  This chart represents percent past year dental visits within sex groups (row percentages). Use caution when interpreting cell sizes less than 50 or 5% of the sample.  See About the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for more information.

 

In 2016, Minnesota females were 1.1 times more likely to have visited a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to Minnesota males. U.S. females were 1.1 times more likely to have visited a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to U.S. males.


 

Past year dental visit by race and ethnicity, 2016

 

Source: Minnesota Department of Health. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

 

At least one past year dental visit

White

African American or Black

AI/AN

Asian

Hispanic

Other race

United States

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

36,553

4,081

1,116

1,416

23,328

1,424

 

Percent of adults aged 18 years and older

67.0%

59.7%

52.8%

74.1%

56.7%

59.5%

 

95% Confidence Interval

66.3 to 67.8

57.8 to 61.7

48.0 to 57.6

70.7 to 77.6

55.8 to 57.6

56.2 to 62.7

Minnesota

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

2,423

119

53

76

381

76

 

Percent of adults aged 18 years and older

77.5%

63.9%

62.5%

65.2%

55.2%

64.2%

 

95% Confidence Interval 75.8 to 79.2 56.2 to 71.7 49.2 to 75.8 55.7 to 74.7 50.8 to 59.7 54.6 to 73.8

 

Data is based on survey respondent report of at least one past year visit to a dentist or dental clinic.  Total sample size = 486,303 (United States) and 16,831 (Minnesota). Data is weighted to reflect population characteristics. This chart represents percent past year dental visits within a single race and ethnicity groups (row percentages). “Other race” refers to non-Hispanic/Latino of another race not reported on this chart. Use caution when interpreting cell sizes less than 50 or 5% of the sample. See About the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data  for more information.

 

In 2016, compared to Minnesota White adults, non-White (African American or Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic and Other race) adults were 1.2 times less likely and Hispanic adults were 1.4 times less likely to have visited a dentist or dental clinic within the past year.

In the United States, non-White, non-Asian adults were less likely to have visited a dentist or dental clinic within the past year, compared to White and Asian adults.  


 

Past year dental visit by household income, 2016

 

Source: Minnesota Department of Health. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

 

At least one past year dental visit

Less than $35K
(thousand dollars)

$35K or more
(thousand dollars)

United States

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

79,273

196,057

 

Percent of adults aged 18 years and older

50.3%

75.0%

 

95% Confidence Interval

49.8 to 50.8

74.6 to 75.4

Minnesota

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

2,564

8,324

 

Percent of adults aged 18 years and older

58.3%

80.0%

 

95% Confidence Interval

56.4 to 60.1

79.0 to 80.9

 

Data is based on survey respondent report of at least one past year visit to a dentist or dental clinic.  Total sample size = 486,303 (United States) and 16,831 (Minnesota). Data is weighted to reflect population characteristics. This chart represents percent past year dental visits within income groups (row percentages). Use caution when interpreting cell sizes less than 50 or 5% of the sample. See About the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for more information.

 

In 2016, Minnesota adults with a household income less than $35K were 1.4 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to adults with a household income of $35K or more.

U.S. adults with a household income less than $35K were 1.5 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to adults with a household income of $35K or more. 


 

Past year dental visit by education level, 2016

 

Source: Minnesota Department of Health. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

 

At least one past year dental visit

Less than High School

High school graduate or general educational development (GED)

Some college or technical school

College graduate

United States

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

15,175

79,261

90,228

143,324

 

Percent of adults aged 18 years and older

43.7%

59.5%

67.6%

79.4%

 

95% Confidence Interval

42.7 to 44.6

59.0 to 60.1

67.1 to 68.1

79.0 to 79.7

Minnesota

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

362

2,738

3,841

5,631

 

Percent of adults aged 18 years and older

52.6%

67.9%

74.3%

83.0%

 

95% Confidence Interval

48.4 to 56.8

66.2 to 69.6

72.9 to 75.7

81.9 to 84.0

 

Data is based on survey respondent report of at least one past year visit to a dentist or dental clinic.  Total sample size = 486,303 (United States) and 16,831 (Minnesota). Data is weighted to reflect population characteristics. This chart represents percent past year dental visits within education groups (row percentages). Use caution when interpreting cell sizes less than 50 or 5% of the sample. See About the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data  for more information.

 

In 2016, Minnesota adults with less than a high school degree were 1.6 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to adults with a college degree.

U.S. adults with less than a high school degree were 1.8 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to adults with a college degree.


 

Past year dental visit by disability status, 2016

 

Source: Minnesota Department of Health. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

 

At least one past year dental visit

Disability

No Disability

United States

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

17,337

300,614

 

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

48.2%

66.5%

 

95% Confidence Interval

47.1 to 49.3

66.2 to 66.8

Minnesota

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

500

11,757

 

Percent of adults aged 18 years and older

60.0%

74.2%

 

95% Confidence Interval

55.3 to 63.7

73.4 to 75.1

 

Data is based on survey respondent report of at least one past year visit to a dentist or dental clinic and disability status (vision, cognitive, mobility, self-care and/or limitation). Total sample size = 486,303 (United States) and 16,831 (Minnesota). Data is weighted to reflect population characteristics. This chart represents percent past year dental visits within disability status groups (row percentages). Use caution when interpreting cell sizes less than 50. See About the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for more information.

 

In 2016, Minnesota adults with a disability were 1.2 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to Minnesota adults without a disability. U.S. adults with a disability were 1.2 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to U.S. adults without a disability. Access to dental clinics that are able to accommodate people with disabilities is one of the challenges faced by people with disabilities.


 

Past year dental visit by smoking status, 2016

 

Source: Minnesota Department of Health. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

 

At least one past year dental visit

Current smokers

Former smokers

Never smokers

United States

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

33,301

91,383

191,497

 

Percent of adults aged 18 years and older

48.4%

65.3%

69.8%

 

95% Confidence Interval

47.7 to 49.1

64.7 to 65.8

69.5 to 70.2

Minnesota

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

1,268

3,552

7,370

 

Percent of adults aged 18 years and older

57.0%

75.5%

76.9%

 

95% Confidence Interval

54.5 to 59.5

74.1 to 77.0

78.7 to 80.4

 

Data is based on survey respondent report of at least one past year visit to a dentist or dental clinic and smoking status (current, former, or never). Current smokers are defined as having smoked at least 100 packs of cigarettes in their entire life and now smokes every day or some days.  Former smokers are defined as having smoked at least 100 packs of cigarettes in their entire life, but does not currently smoke. Never smokers are defined as not having smoked at least 100 packs of cigarettes in their entire life and does not currently smoke. Total sample size = 486,303 (United States) and 16,831 (Minnesota).  Data is weighted to reflect population characteristics. This chart represents percent past year dental visits within smoking status groups (row percentages). Use caution when interpreting cell sizes less than 50 or 5% of the sample. See About the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for more information.

 

In 2016, Minnesota current smokers were 1.3 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to never smokers. 

In the United States, current smokers were 1.4 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to never smokers.

Smokers are at increased risk for tooth decay, infections, periodontal disease (gum infection that destroys bone that leads to tooth loss) and oral and pharyngeal (mouth and throat) cancers. Regular visits to the dentist are important for early detection and treatment of these oral diseases.     


 

Past year dental visit by diabetes, 2016

 

Source: Minnesota Department of Health. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

 

At least one past year dental visit

Diabetes

No diabetes

United States

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

39,003

281,452

 

Percent of adults aged 18 years and older

57.9%

66.2%

 

95% Confidence Interval

57.1 to 58.7

65.9 to 66.5

Minnesota

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

1,183

11,051

 

Percent of adults aged 18 years and older

68.2%

74.0%

 

95% Confidence Interval

65.4 to 71.0

73.1 to 74.9

 

Data is based on survey respondent report of at least one past year visit to a dentist or dental clinic and a diagnosis of diabetes. Total sample size = 486,303 (United States) and 16,303 (Minnesota). Data is weighted to reflect population characteristics. This chart represents percent past year dental visits within diabetes status groups (row percentages). Use caution when interpreting cell sizes less than 50 or 5% of the sample. See About the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for more information.

 

In 2016, Minnesota adults with diabetes were 1.1 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to Minnesota adults without diabetes. U.S. adults with diabetes were 1.1 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to U.S. adults without diabetes.

People with uncontrolled diabetes have decreased saliva flow, increased thickening of blood vessels, and consistently higher blood sugar that weakens the body’s defense against bacterial infections. As a result, people with uncontrolled diabetes experience an increased risk of dry mouth, gum inflammation, thrush (fungal infection of the mouth and tongue) and periodontal disease (gum infection that destroys bone that leads to tooth loss). 

Working with a primary care doctor or endocrinologist (diabetes doctor) to control blood sugar and regular visits to the eye doctor, foot doctor, and dentist to maintain good eye, foot, and oral health will benefit overall health.   


 

Past year dental visit by cardiovascular disease, 2016

 

Source: Minnesota Department of Health. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

 

At least one past year dental visit

Cardiovascular disease

No cardiovascular disease

United States

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

11,122

317,172

 

Percent of adults aged 18 years and older

51.2%

65.6%

 

95% Confidence Interval

49.7 to 52.7

65.3 to 65.9

Minnesota

Number of adults aged 18 years and older

337

12,252

 

Percent of adults aged 18 years and older

63.3%

73.7%

 

95% Confidence Interval

58.0 to 68.6

72.9 to 74.5

 

Data is based on survey respondent report of at least one past year visit to a dentist or dental clinic and diagnosis of angina, coronary artery disease, heart attack or stroke.  Total sample size = 486,303 (United States) and 16,831 (Minnesota).  Data is weighted to reflect population characteristics.  This chart represents percent past year dental visits within cardiovascular disease status groups (row percentages).  Use caution when interpreting cell sizes less than 50 or 5% of the sample. See About the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for more information.

 

In 2016, Minnesota adults with cardiovascular disease were 1.2 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to adults without cardiovascular disease.

U.S. adults with cardiovascular disease were 1.3 times less likely to visit a dentist or dental clinic within the past year compared to adults without cardiovascular disease.   

It is important for people with cardiovascular disease (CVD) to have regular visits to the dentist as oral disease causing bacteria can travel to the heart and develop into a heart infection (endocarditis). Also, inflammation is a shared risk factor of both CVD and periodontal disease (gum infection that destroys bone that leads to tooth loss). Reducing inflammation by preventing or treating tooth decay and gum disease may improve cardiovascular health.