Preventive dental care returns to near pre-pandemic levels with notable changes in treatment patterns
WASHINGTON: A new analysis from Delta Dental reveals that preventive dental care utilization has nearly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, signaling a major recovery in oral health access across the United States. However, the study also highlights lasting changes in treatment patterns that have persisted for three years after dental practices reopened post-COVID.
The research, published as an extended analysis of the 2023 Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) study, compared quarterly dental procedure volumes from 2020 to 2023 with pre-pandemic averages (2017–2019).
Key findings from the delta dental study
Researchers identified several significant trends:
- Preventive and diagnostic care: Returned to near pre-pandemic levels for insured patients under age 65.
- Restorative treatments: Direct restorations (fillings) declined, while indirect restorations (crowns, bridges, onlays) increased, especially among adults ages 19–64.
- Night guard usage: Continued to rise, reflecting potential increases in bruxism or stress-related dental issues post-pandemic.
- Emergency and surgical procedures: Decreased among adults under 65, suggesting earlier intervention and improved routine care access.
Dr Jeffrey Chaffin, DDS, Chief Dental Officer at Delta Dental of Iowa and co-author of the study, said these trends indicate more than just a return to routine care:
“It’s likely a mix of clinical, behavioral, and economic factors at play, but the shifts we’re seeing began immediately after practices reopened and have persisted for three years.”
Why this matters for oral health
The study underscores that while Americans have regained access to regular dental checkups and cleanings, the types of treatments people seek and receive have evolved. This may reflect increased patient awareness of oral health, economic considerations, and a shift toward preventive care over emergency procedures.
Delta Dental emphasized that this research is part of its ongoing mission to generate data-driven insights and offer actionable solutions to improve both oral and overall health outcomes nationwide.
Commitment to oral health
As the largest dental benefits provider in the US, Delta Dental continues to invest heavily in oral health research and community programs. Over the past 15 years, its companies and foundations have invested more than $2.3 billion to improve oral health access and education.
This latest analysis reinforces the importance of routine preventive care as the foundation of lifelong oral health — and highlights how the pandemic reshaped patient priorities and treatment patterns.
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