Making dental care affordable for every patient

For many patients, dental care is one of the first things sacrificed when budgets are tight, and the numbers make this trend impossible to ignore.

A new Humana white paper reveals that 57% of Americans have delayed dental treatments to pay for other expenses.1,2 The issue is even more pronounced among vulnerable populations. According to the data, 72% of parents with children younger than 18 years old and 71% of caregivers for individuals with disabilities say they have postponed dental care to cover household costs.1

Furthermore, nearly half of respondents cited unexpected costs as the primary pain point in their dental experience.1 These delays can lead to worsened conditions, costlier procedures and greater overall health impacts—burdens that are preventable.

The takeaway for providers is clear. By offering flexible, accessible in-network care options, providers can ease financial pressure and help patients stay consistent with their dental health. Additionally, by forming strong partnerships with insurance carriers, such as Humana, practices and practitioners can create treatment plans that reduce uncertainty and improve outcomes.

Download our dental health white paper, ‘The financial strain of dental care: why in-network insurance matters,” to learn more.

Reference:

1. “Humana Dental Insurance,” Opinium Research, October 2024.
2.  Sample survey: 2,000 United States adults 18 years old and older who make dental insurance decisions.