Recent findings from a national survey reveal that adults with disabilities continue to face significant barriers to accessing oral healthcare, putting them at greater risk for negative health outcomes.
The data is drawn from the State of Oral Health Equity in America (SOHEA) survey, an annual research effort from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health that examines adults’ experiences, attitudes, and behaviors related to oral health across the United States.
The survey shows that adults with at least one disability are more likely to encounter challenges related to income, education, and insurance coverage that affect their ability to access consistent and adequate dental care. These factors are closely associated with whether individuals have a regular dental care provider, how recently they’ve seen a dentist, and whether they’ve sought dental care in emergency settings.
Key findings from the report include:
- Only 56% of adults with a disability reported having a dental visit in the past year, compared to 70% of adults without a disability.
- About one in three adults with a disability reported that their dental office did not offer accommodations or additional support during visits.
- Dental insurance coverage was less common among adults with a disability (66%) compared to those without a disability (76%).
- 25% of adults with a disability reported delaying or missing care, or being unable to obtain needed health services, including dental care.
- Adults with a disability were more likely to rate their oral health as fair or poor compared to adults without a disability, and were also more likely to have visited an emergency department for dental care.
The report suggests several strategies to improve access, including expanding Medicare and Medicaid coverage for dental care, increasing provider training on disability-inclusive practices, and strengthening the integration of dental and medical services.
These findings underscore ongoing disparities in oral healthcare and point to a need for systemic changes to better support adults living with disabilities.
The full report is available here.
