What do the edentulous US population statistics actually show about unmet dental need?
A massive and growing population of patients who could benefit from comprehensive treatment but are mostly outside the dental system. US Surgeon General data shows roughly 21 million adults, nearly ten percent of the adult population, are completely edentulous. Eleven million of those are over age 65. Twelve million are missing all their maxillary teeth. Another 50 million are missing posterior teeth in one to four quadrants. The percentage of edentulous adults is gradually decreasing, but the absolute numbers are increasing as the population grows. State variation is dramatic: Hawaii sits at 13.9 percent of those over 65 missing teeth, West Virginia at 47.9 percent. By age 50, the average US citizen is missing 12 teeth. Twenty percent of the adult population is missing one or more teeth. The numbers are not abstract. They represent millions of real people who need serious dental help and who are mostly not getting it. Most have given up on dentistry. The ones still in practices often are not being shown all their options.
If the answers you are finding here resonate with you, my team and I work with a small group of clients each year. The next step is a complimentary Discovery Consultation and Practice Review with Dr. McAnally.