While the dental health of young children in the United States has been improving in recent decades, this improvement hasn’t been seen in adolescents. This has created a disparity in dental health. Now, a research team has sought to find out what the barriers are that are stopping many adolescents from achieving strong oral health.
A positive trend in recent decades across the United States involves overall dental health among young children improving.
However, adolescents have not experienced the same positive improvement. This disparity has confused researchers. Therefore, research into this subject has recently been carried out [1].
The findings of this research may help to create strategies to tackle the disparity and result in improved oral health for adolescents as they become adults.
The disparity
Other recent research make a surprising discovery – that adolescents aged 12 to 17 show significantly worse oral health outcomes than their younger siblings [2].
This is particularly peculiar, given that those in the study were living in the same household and shared similar socioeconomic conditions [2].
Moreover, other research shows that almost 60% of adolescents have untreated tooth decay. This is particularly high in those from ethnic minorities [3].
Having good oral health is crucial. It has a range of benefits for any country, such as contributing to improved physical health for citizens, boosting the economy, and lessening the strain on the healthcare system.
Poor oral health can also influence self-esteem, which is already a problem for many adolescents. It also lessens quality of life.
Therefore, there are valid concerns, especially when comparing the differences in age groups. This disparity has now been studied closely.
The Research
The research was carried out by a team from the University at Buffalo’s School of Dental Medicine. Their recent findings have been published in the International Journal of Dentistry [1].
The study focused on adolescents in Western New York. The team performed an analysis of 7,379 dental visits at UB Dental between 2018 and 2023 [1].
The main issue noticed by the researchers was that adolescents accounted for the highest percentage of missed appointments (24%) [1]. This was much higher than young children.
But the researchers noted that not attending appointments was often due to a range of barriers. For example, financial, emotional, and logistical barriers were observed [1].
They found that many families were unable to afford appointments. In terms of logistics, this included struggling to travel to a dental clinic, or fitting appointments in around employment [1].
In terms of emotional barriers, the researchers found an issue that they termed “caregiver dental anxiety” [1]. Their findings suggested that more than 60% of caregivers had elevated dental anxiety.
Therefore, this anxiety was often passed onto adolescents. In fact, the researchers found that anxious caregivers were almost four times likelier to have anxious adolescents [1].
Another finding was that many families were unaware that children over the age of 12 remain eligible for Medicaid coverage [1]. This was especially common in households where English is not the primary language. Therefore, this led to confusion and missed appointments due to fear of having large costs [1].
The results suggest that missed dental appointments were a clear contributing factor towards the disparity.
But they also noted that these missed appointments are a visible symptom of what is actually a deeper structural problem that impacts adolescents’ ability to access dental care [1].
Summary
Overall, the findings found that missed appointments were a key factor behind the disparity. Yet it isn’t as simple as this, with the researchers pointing out that a range of factors are involved.
It isn’t surprising that this is a multi-faceted and complex problem. It is something that will take time to change, although it is positive to see that efforts to tackle the disparity are ongoing.
The research was led by Rubelisa Oliveira, who is an Assistant professor at the University at Buffalo’s School of Dental Medicine [4].
Oliveira spoke about the findings, highlighting that “adolescents are often overlooked in health care strategies” [4].
Continuing, Oliveira explained the importance of this group, saying that “this is a critical period when lifelong health behaviors are being formed” [4].
Oliveira and her team discussed recommendations for the future. They have proposed scheduling family-wide appointments, simplifying Medicaid explanations, and having a staff member available to assist parents with navigating the healthcare system [4].
Additionally, Oliveira and her team are hoping to work with schools across Buffalo and Niagara County to offer dental screenings and improved oral health education [4]. This could have a very positive effect on adolescents.
Hopefully these recommendations will result in positive changes in the long-term. The aim is for this disparity to end and for everyone to enjoy strong oral health.
Thinking points…
[1] One of the key findings of the research was the impact of not attending dental appointments. Take this as a reminder of the importance of visiting the dentist regularly for a check-up! At a check-up, a dentist can take a thorough look at your oral health and look out for any issues. We recommend that you book an appointment now!
[2] As discussed above, a common barrier for some people attending the dentist is fear of the dentist, or anxiety. But here at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental, we strive to offer a great patient experience! We offer blankets, complimentary drinks, a children’s play area, and sedation options for those experiencing dental anxiety. We would love to welcome you to our dental clinic soon! To find out more, take a look at our website – https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!
References
[1] Rubelisa, C. G., Khalid, H., Zhang, Z., et al. (2025). Visit Characteristics Associated With Pediatric Dental Appointment No-Shows in an Academic Dental Setting. International Journal of Dentistry. (Pre-publication issue). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/ijod/2114933.
[2] Mei, L., Griffin, S. O., Gooch, B. F., et al (2019). Oral health surveillance report : trends in dental caries and sealants, tooth retention, and edentulism, United States : 1999–2004 to 2011–2016.Available: https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/82756. Last accessed: 7th July 2025.
[3] Healthy People 2030. (2025). Increase the proportion of low-income youth who have a preventive dental visit — OH 09. Available: https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/oral-conditions/increase-proportion-low-income-youth-who-have-preventive-dental-visit-oh-09/data#data-chart. Last accessed: 7th July 2025.
[4] Lock, L. (2025). Study finds persistent barriers keep adolescents from achieving better oral health. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-persistent-barriers-adolescents-oral-health.html. Last accessed: 7th July 2025.
