Oral health is associated with overall health, especially in older adults (age 65 and older). Chronic conditions in older adults may affect oral health, and poor oral health may increase the risk of certain chronic conditions (1–3). Poor oral health has also been associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk (4). Several factors, including chronic conditions, health status, race, and income have been associated with reduced dental care use among older adults (5–9). This report describes the percentage of older adults who had a dental visit in the past 12 months by selected sociodemographic characteristics and chronic conditions using the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).
Among adults age 65 and older, dental visits in the past 12 months varied by sex, age group, and race and Hispanic origin.
- In 2022, 63.7% of adults age 65 and older had a dental visit in the past 12 months (Figure 1, Table 1).
- Men (62.3%) were less likely than women (64.9%) to have had a dental visit.
- The percentage of older adults who had a dental visit decreased from 65.4% among those ages 65–74 and 63.6% among those ages 75–84 to 53.3% among those age 85 and older.
- The percentage of older adults who had a dental visit was highest among White non-Hispanic (subsequently, White) adults (68.1%) compared with Asian non-Hispanic (subsequently, Asian) adults (51.8%), Black non-Hispanic (subsequently, Black) adults (53.4%), other and multiple-race non-Hispanic (subsequently, other and multiple race) adults (48.8%), and Hispanic adults (48.0%). No other significant differences by race and ethnicity.
Source: Dental Care Among Adults Age 65 and Older: United States, 2022 / CDC