American Dental Association finds financial barriers most often cited for not getting dental care.

The American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute published a research brief, Main Barriers to Getting Needed Dental All Relate to Affordability, that finds that during each year from 2013-2016, approximately 15.2% of Americans needed dental care but did not obtain it. The top three barriers cited for accessing care were financial reasons such as “could not afford the cost,” “insurance did not cover procedures,” and “did not want to spend the money.” Less often cited were non-financial barriers such as “afraid or do not like dentists,” “dental office is too far away,” or “too busy.” Financial barriers were most frequently reported among low-income working-age adults and seniors as well as high-income working-age adults. American Dental Association in April 2019.