Oral Health and Well-Being in Indiana How do adults in Indiana view their oral health? This fact sheet summarizes select data on self-reported oral health status, attitudes and dental care utilization among Indiana adults as of 2015, by income level, based on an innovative household survey. For methods and sources, visit ADA.org/statefacts. For more information on the ADA Health Policy Institute, visit ADA.org/HPI. Overall Condition of Mouth and Teeth VERY GOOD GOOD FAIR POOR 4 3 43% 3 13% HOUSEHOLD INCOME 1 in 5 low income adults say their mouth and teeth are in poor condition. Life in General is Less Satisfying Due to Condition of Mouth and Teeth Appearance of Mouth and Teeth Affects Ability to Interview for a Job NEVER RARELY OCCASIONY VERY OFTEN 1 42% 4 4 YES 6 83% 8 2 41% 22% 82% 31% 3% HOUSEHOLD HOUSEHOLD INCOME INCOME
How Often Have You Experienced the Following Problems in the Last 12 Months Due to the Condition of Your Mouth and Teeth? VERY OFTEN OCCASIONY RARELY NEVER 51% 5 6 6 6 73% 7 91% 23% 2 13% 1 7% 13% 13% 3% DRY MOUTH BITING/ CHEWING EXPERIENCE PAIN AVOID SMILING EMBARRASS- MENT ANXIETY PROBLEMS SLEEPING REDUCE SOCIAL PARTICIPA- TION WITH SPEECH DOING USUAL ACTIVITIES TAKE DAYS OFF 1 in 4 adults avoid smiling due to the condition of their 1 in 5 adults feel embarrassment of adults experience anxiety due to the condition of their
Problems Due to Condition of Mouth and Teeth, by Household Income DRY MOUTH VERY OFTEN OCCASIONY RARELY NEVER 61% 4 income adults are most likely to report having problems BITING/CHEWING EXPERIENCE PAIN 21% 31% 3 21% 5 53% 2 4 4 2 X AVOID SMILING 13% 2 1 67% 63% 3 The top oral health problem for low income adults is difficulty biting and chewing. EMBARRASSMENT ANXIETY PROBLEMS SLEEPING REDUCE SOCIAL PARTICIPATION WITH SPEECH DOING USUAL ACTIVITIES TAKE DAYS OFF 13% 1 4 71% 7 1 1 13% 4 13% 73% 7 2 42% 1 7 3% 7 13% 2 4 81% 7 5 7% 8 8 51% 3% 8 7% 8 7 3% 97% 91% 4 of low income adults avoid smiling due to the condition of their 1 of high income adults experience pain due to the condition of their of middle income adults feel embarrassment due to the condition of their mouth and teeth. of low income adults reduce participation in social activities
Attitudes Toward Oral Health and Dental Care STRONGLY DISAGREE SOMEWHAT DISAGREE SOMEWHAT AGREE STRONGLY AGREE 2 3 57% 72% 71% 5 2 2 2 1 I value keeping my mouth Regular visits to the dentist will help keep me As I grow old I accept I will lose some of my teeth. I need to see the dentist twice a year. It is easier to get ahead in life if I have straight, bright teeth. 9 value oral health. 83% feel they need to visit the dentist twice per year. I accept I will lose some teeth with age. 9 agree regular dental visits keep them believe straight, bright teeth help you get ahead in life. 73% low income adults 53% high income adults
Reasons for Not Visiting the Dentist More Frequently, Among Those Without a Visit in the Last 12 Months COST $ 4 AFRAID OF DENTIST 2 INCONVENIENT LOCATION OR TIME TROUBLE FINDING A DENTIST ORIGINAL TEETH X 23% PERCEIVED NEED REASON OTHER Household Income 5 5 23% 1% 2 2 1 1 2% 7% LOW MIDDLE HIGH of low fear as a reason not 2 of middle fear as a reason not of high inconvenient location or time as a reason not