AHRQ Stats: Trends in Dental Expenses

The average annual expense for dental care was $696 in 2015. That compares with $374 ($564 when adjusted for inflation) in 1996. (Source: AHRQ, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Research Findings #38: Dental Services: Use, Expenses, Source of Payment, Coverage and Procedure Type, 1996-2015.)

Abstract

This report presents data from the 1996 through 2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) describing dental use, expenses, source of payments, coverage and procedure type for the U.S civilian noninstitutionalized (community) population. MEPS is sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Estimates are presented for the total population as well as for specific population groups categorized in terms of sex, race/ethnicity, age, income, dental insurance coverage, employment, and education. This report is presented as part of a series of updates to Chartbook 17: Dental Use, Expenses, Dental Coverage, and Changes, 1996 and 2004. Only differences that are statistically significant at the 0.05 level are discussed in the text.

Suggested Citation:

Manski RJ and Rohde F. Dental Services: Use, Expenses, Source of Payment, Coverage and Procedure Type, 1996–2015: Research Findings No. 38. November 2017. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. https://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/rf38/rf38.pdf.

* * *

The estimates in this report are based on the most recent data available at the time the report was written. However, selected elements of MEPS data may be revised on the basis of additional analyses, which could result in slightly different estimates from those shown here. Please check the MEPS Web site for the most current file releases.

Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
5600 Fishers Lane, Mailstop 07W41A
Rockville, MD 20857
http://www.meps.ahrq.gov