Jones: Arizonans increasingly understand whole-body health includes oral, mental health

In recent years, the term “whole-person health” has garnered more and more attention.

According to the 2024 Oral Health and Wellness Report, a statewide survey that studies the ways in which individuals think about health and approach their own care, it is clear that this patient-centered approach to health care that considers a person's entire well-being is more than a passing wellness fad or buzzword. This year’s findings highlight Arizonans’ increasing understanding about the direct connection between oral health and overall health, notably including mental health at higher rates than ever reported.

According to the report, Arizonans are increasingly familiar with the connection between oral health and conditions like heart disease (50%), respiratory illness (32%), diabetes (29%), and high blood pressure (28%) at higher rates than in years prior. In addition, Gen Z and Millennials are more likely than Gen X and Boomer generations to know of the connection oral health has to certain conditions like respiratory health, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

It also shows that three in four adults, on average, say oral health is closely related to mental health. As it relates to generational data, 71% of Gen X and Boomers are making the connection, while 76% of Gen Z and 82% of Millennials feel strongly there is a direct relationship between the two. Diving deeper into the findings, 23% of all respondents reported direct feelings of anxiety as a result of their oral health; 21% reported embarrassment over their appearance; 20% lost sleep over oral health and 19% experienced direct feelings of sadness related to oral health.

 Additional findings:

• Only about three-fifths (59%) of Arizonans replace their toothbrush every three months or more often, as recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines. This is down from 70% in 2023.
• Financial issues are reported as the No. 1 barrier to care. Half of Arizonans who faced such a barrier cited out-of-pocket costs, while 43% were concerned by not having dental insurance.
• This year, Boomers were more likely than Gen Z and Millennials not to go to a preventive visit simply because they thought their oral health was good enough (15% vs. 11%).
• The top items wanted in dental insurance across all generations are two free preventative cleanings annually, oral surgery coverage, and extra cleanings for high-risk individuals.
• An estimated 30% of Arizonans are now somewhat familiar with teledentisty, with Gen Z (44%) more familiar than Gen X and Boomers (20%)

Taking action to protect oral health is taking action to protect one’s overall health, including mental health. This report shows that engaging the community around whole person health, supporting innovative programs, and providing equitable access to care is more important than ever.

Delta Dental of Arizona supports whole-person health initiatives and equitable access to care, donating $2.1 million to help 252,094 Arizonans across all 15 counties receive oral health education and/or services, and enabling 33,081 Arizonans to receive food insecurity and nutrition education programs.

In March 2024, the company partnered with the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix to create Arizona’s first-ever Oral Health In Medicine Initiative, focused on increasing oral health education for all medical students in the program. Launched formally in July 2024, it is estimated that graduates will be able to make a positive impact on up to 180,000 patients per class, per year.

The company also awarded grants to 39 non-profit organizations that work with underserved populations of all ages through oral health and nutritional programs and is working to support access to health and wellness statewide through the Delta Dental of Arizona Oral Health Clinic at St. Vincent de Paul, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and more.

 It is critical that health and wellness organizations continue to work to collectively create programs and initiatives that support access to whole-body health for all Arizonans. We are all in this together.

 Editor’s note: Michael Jones is President and CEO of Scottsdale-based Delta Dental of Arizona. He also serves as president of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation. Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.