About 31 million U.S. adults age 55 and older lack dental insurance, according to a new white paper.
Using public data, Charm Economics, a 2025 National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) Foundation grant recipient, found that 39% of older adults have public dental coverage, 31% have private insurance, and the remaining 31% are uninsured.
The report explores how dental coverage affects access to care and outlines ways to expand public and private options for this age group.
“Charm Economics’ analysis sheds light on a persistent challenge in oral healthcare. The NADP Foundation is proud to support work that not only quantifies the problem but also highlights practical paths forward. Expanding dental coverage for older Americans is critical to improving overall health and quality of life,” NADP Foundation President and NADP Executive Director Mike Adelberg said in a NADP press release dated May 28.
