A new study finds that nearly one-third of young people haven’t seen a dentist in the past year. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Oral Health, surveyed over 127,000 people and represents the first large-scale comparison across socioeconomic groups.
The results show that adults aged 18 to 35 are most likely to miss out on dental care, with 32.2% reporting never seeing a dentist. Many also report poor mental health, emotional distress, and memory or concentration problems.
Affordability remains a major barrier. Approximately 69% of people say they can’t afford insurance co-pays. Lack of insurance and an annual income below $35,000 are also key factors.
Yaohua Yu, the study’s lead author and associate professor of periodontology, called the trend “deeply concerning.” His earlier research has linked lack of dental care to shortened life expectancy.
“This study highlights the urgent need to close the gaps in dental and health insurance coverage,” Yu said. Dental care should be integrated into overall health care, and interventions should be tailored not only to income level but also to life stage. Providing routine preventive care to young people, the backbone of future productivity, is crucial.