New Data Finds Most Americans Are Unaware that COVID-19 and
Other Serious Illnesses Can Be Connected to Poor Oral Health
ProHEALTH Dental, in collaboration with The Harris Poll, has officially released new data exploring American’s awareness of the correlation between oral health and one’s overall health. Conducted online and sampling over 2,000 Americans over the age of 18, the study asked questions related to their understanding of which common health issues are connected to poor oral health and if their awareness of this correlation will impact the likelihood that they visit the dentist.
Over the course of the past year and a half, some Americans postponed dental visits due to health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the most recent developments of the Delta variant, it’s important that people take necessary preventative actions, including maintaining good oral hygiene habits and regular dentist visits. In doing so, people can decrease the likelihood of catching a more serious diagnosis of this disease.
A recent study published in the British Dental Journal, provided evidence that poor oral health could impact the severity of COVID-19 including a delayed recovery period due to a more serious case of the disease. This new study conducted by ProHEALTH Dental found that 87% of Americans are unaware that COVID-19 can be connected to poor oral health. Furthermore, when examining how oral health can affect other major illnesses, most Americans were unaware that common health issues such as Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, strokes, diabetes, and cancer are all related to poor oral health.
ProHEALTH Dental’s mission and model is to break down the barrier between medicine and dentistry and to educate the public about the importance of oral health as a key element of overall health. By conducting this study, the organization is helping to educate the public on the importance of oral health awareness and thereby increasing the likelihood that people will prioritize their oral health moving forward. Of the participants studied, three in five Americans would visit their dentist on the recommended schedule (typically twice a year) if they were made aware of how poor oral health can impact major medical conditions.
“The results from the study are reminiscent of what we have anecdotally heard from many of our patients,” said Norton Travis, CEO of ProHEALTH Dental. “Furthermore, the findings of this study demonstrate the importance of ProHEALTH Dental’s mission of medical and dental integration and education. Our non-invasive screenings help to bridge the gap between dental and medical health management, which are more important than ever before.”
Key Findings from the Study:
- 87% of Americans are unaware that COVID-19 can be connected to poor oral health
- 89% of Americans are unaware that Alzheimer’s Disease can be connected to poor oral health
- 72% of Americans are unaware that cardiovascular disease can be connected to poor oral health
- 84% of Americans are unaware that strokes can be connected to poor oral health
- 76% of Americans are unaware that diabetes can be connected to poor oral health
- 74% of Americans are unaware that cancer can be connected to poor oral health
- Three in five Americans would visit their dentist on the recommended schedule if they were made aware of how poor oral health can impact major medical conditions.
Survey Method:
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of ProHEALTH Dental between June 10-14, 2021, among 2,066 adults ages 18+. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroups sample sizes, please contact Jessica Apicella at jessica@buzz-creators.com.
About ProHEALTH Dental:
Based in Lake Success, New York, ProHEALTH Dental affiliates with health systems and medical groups to coordinate dental services with primary care medical services and promote the oral and overall health and well-being of their patients. Under these affiliation arrangements, ProHEALTH Dental develops state-of-the-art dental offices to provide both preventative and restorative dentistry, as well as all needed specialty services, for both children and adults. ProHEALTH Dental currently operates offices in New York and New Jersey. For more information about ProHEALTH Dental, please visit www.phdental.com.
About The Harris Poll:
Over the last five decades, Harris Polls have become media staples. With comprehensive experience and precise technique in public opinion polling, along with a proven track record of uncovering consumers’ motivations and behaviors, The Harris Poll has gained strong brand recognition around the world. The Harris Poll offers a diverse portfolio of proprietary client solutions to transform relevant insights into actionable foresight for a wide range of industries including health care, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer packaged goods.
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