What the Numbers Say About Delayed Dental Care

Knowing where you stand is one of the most useful things you can bring to a dental decision. Many adults put off the dentist for a while, and the reasons they wait, from cost to a past visit that did not go well, are common and very manageable. Looking at the numbers can show you that you are in good company and that a clear way forward exists.

At Esteem Dental Studio in Powder Springs, we gathered the statistics our patients ask about most so you can make informed choices about your care. Over their years of practice, Dr. Watts and Dr. Thachil have recognized that fear and cost are common hurdles keeping people from the treatment they need, and our practice is set up to help you move past both at your own pace.

How Many Georgia Adults See a Dentist Each Year

Georgia trails most of the country when it comes to routine dental visits. According to America’s Health Rankings, 63.3 percent of Georgia adults visited a dentist or dental clinic in 2024, placing our state 41st in the nation. The national figure for the same measure was 67.5 percent.

Put another way, roughly one in three adults in Georgia went a full year without a dental visit. If it has been a while for you, you are far from alone, and a fresh start is always available.

Why Adults Put Off Dental Visits

The American Dental Association reports that the top reasons adults avoid the dentist are affordability, fear, and trouble finding a convenient time or location. Each of these barriers is real, and each one has a practical answer.

Cost Is the Most Common Barrier

In 2023, about 1 in 5 adults delayed or went without dental care because of cost. That is a far higher share than adults who put off medical care or prescriptions for the same reason, which was 8 percent for each. Among adults under 65, the figure for dental care rose to 23 percent.

Dental Fear Is More Common Than You Might Think

According to studies, about 15 percent of adults experience dental fear and anxiety, with even higher rates among women and younger adults. Feeling uneasy about a visit does not mean something is wrong with you. It simply means your care should be planned around your comfort from the very first appointment.

What Happens When Care Is Delayed

Small problems tend to grow quietly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1 in 5 adults ages 20 to 64 has at least one untreated cavity, and nearly half of adults 30 and older show signs of gum disease. Left alone, both conditions can lead to tooth loss, which is why early fillings and periodontal treatment matter so much.

Delays also show up outside the dental chair. The same CDC data counted 2.1 million emergency room visits for dental problems in 2017, and nearly 18 percent of working-age adults said the look of their teeth affects their ability to interview for a job.

How We Help You Move Forward

Statistics describe trends, but your care is personal. Every barrier in these numbers has a practical answer at our office.

Choosing Your Comfort Level

Our sedation dentistry options let you decide how relaxed you want to feel. Level 1: Nitrous Oxide. A light, floaty calm that just eases the edge off. This level is commonly known as nitrous, laughing gas, or simply “gas,” and you stay awake and can drive yourself home. Level 2: Relaxation Medication. One prescribed pill taken before your visit keeps you awake and responsive, and you arrange a ride home.

Level 3: Conscious Sedation. Stronger medication given in our office creates a deeply relaxed, dreamlike state, and many patients have little to no memory of the visit. You arrange a ride home for this level as well. Level 2 and Level 3 can be combined, and both of our dentists have completed additional coursework to provide sedation in accordance with the Georgia Board of Dentistry’s regulations.

Making Care Affordable

Cost should not decide whether you get the care you need. We make payment more manageable in several ways.

• We are a PPO office that works with many insurance companies, though not all, and our team confirms your benefits before treatment.
• Our in-house savings plan is designed for patients who do not have dental insurance.
• Cherry financing offers 0 percent financing for 24 months, subject to approval, and we also work with CareCredit and Alpheon.

Our team walks you through each option so there are no surprises when it is time to schedule.

Catching Problems Early

A thorough exam is the simplest way to stay ahead of the numbers above. Our dental exams include a full 3D scan of your teeth in addition to traditional X-rays, so you can see what is going on in a clear, easy-to-read image. When something urgent does come up, our emergency dental care gives you a place to turn.

Take the Next Step With Esteem Dental Studio

From your first call, our team makes you feel welcome, answers your questions without rushing, and greets every new patient with a small gift and a handwritten thank-you note. That attention to detail is part of why we were selected as a 2026 Business to Watch by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and have earned more than 500 five-star Google reviews. Behind that reputation are Dr. Watts and Dr. Thachil, who partner with you on every decision.

The numbers show that many adults wait, but you get to decide what happens next. When you feel ready, contact our office to schedule a visit at a pace that works for you.