Frequency of dental office use in the United States
Some of the possible reasons why we visit the dentist are so few.
In the United States, dental office visits are relatively infrequent, with the average person making just over three visits per year. This is significantly lower than the average for other developed countries, with about six visits per year. Per capita spending on dental care in the United States is also relatively low, at just over $800 per year. This is also well below the average for other developed countries, about $1,500 annually.
Several factors contribute to the lower frequency of dental office visits in the United States. One is the high cost of dental care. In the United States, dental care is not usually covered by health insurance, which means that people have to pay for it out of their own pocket; this can deter people from going to the dentist because they cannot afford it. Another factor is that dental care in the United States is often not considered as necessary as in other developed countries. This is because the dental care system in the United States focuses more on cosmetic dentistry than preventive care. As a result, people do not see the need to visit the dentist as often as in other countries.
The relatively low spending on dental care in the United States is also due to several factors. First, the dental care system is more fragmented than in other developed countries. This means different dental care providers, private practitioners, public clinics, and non-profit organizations. As a result, citizens have to pay out-of-pocket for dental care more often than in other countries. Another factor may be that dental care in the U.S. is not usually covered by health insurance, so people must pay for it out of pocket.
In the United States, there are several types of dental treatment: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery. General dentistry covers essential services such as teeth cleaning and fillings. Cosmetic dentistry covers procedures such as teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. Orthodontics covers techniques such as braces and Invisalign. Finally, oral surgery includes wisdom teeth removal and dental implants.
Knowing that we should go more to the dentist, you can see which dental office is closer to you.