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In your office, you’re surrounded by people who love and respect the dental field and dental patients. Your patients, even if they postpone or opt out of recommended restorative care, place importance on oral health or they would not be in the chair. Sometimes when we’re submerged in a culture, we’re blind to what’s going on with the rest of the world. The following startling statistics will give you some insight into America outside the walls of your dental practice.

In a recent Gallop-Healthways poll of more than 355K Americans, 34% of respondents did not visit a dentist last year, and in nine states, that number increased to nearly 50%. See the full list of states with poll results here.

The worst state on the report was Mississippi; about half of the residents did not see a dentist last year. According to an article in USA Today, “Studies show there is widespread ignorance in the state about the importance of good oral health…” The article also tells us that only half of Mississippi’s public water is fluorinated, which only exacerbates the problem.

Why are people across the US neglecting their oral health? The Gallop poll showed that half of people making less than $2K per month were forewent dental care, and men, African Americans, Hispanics, and senior citizens were also groups that ranked high in dental neglect.

The economy plays a role as well. People hesitate to take time off work for dental care, and many who have lost dental insurance benefits are simply not going to the dentist. In another USA Today article, we’re told that “21% of Americans scramble to pay medical, drug bills.”

This problem is directly affecting dentists. An ADA report tells us that more than half of dentists earned less in the third quarter of 2008.