Most Adults Practice Daily Oral Hygiene, yet Only 55% Replace Their Toothbrush as Recommended

Delta Dental highlights preventive care habits and investments in Connecticut’s dental workforce during National Dental Hygiene Month

GLASTONBURY, CT – October 21, 2026 – In recognition of National Dental Hygiene Month, Delta Dental is highlighting findings from its 2026 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report and the Delta Dental Foundation’s investments in dental hygiene education in Connecticut.

The nationwide report shows that nearly three-quarters of adults brush twice daily (72%) and floss daily (73%). However, only 55% replace their toothbrush every three months, as recommended. Among those who do not replace their toothbrush on schedule, 46% say they forget, 42% wait until the bristles appear worn, and 30% do not purchase a replacement during routine shopping trips.

Beyond encouraging healthy oral hygiene habits, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation is working to strengthen access to preventive dental care by investing in the next generation of dental hygienists. For more than 25 years, the Foundation has supported student dental hygiene scholarships, contributing nearly $900,000 to dental hygiene programs across New Jersey and Connecticut.

In 2024, the Foundation launched its SMILE Workforce Initiative to help address dental workforce shortages in both states. Through grants awarded in 2024 and 2026, the Foundation has committed $5.23 million through 2028 to support 43 dental hygiene and dental assisting programs across New Jersey and Connecticut. Its workforce grants reach more than 2,400 students annually.

Connecticut dental hygiene grantees include the University of Bridgeport in Fairfield County, Goodwin University in Hartford County, and the University of New Haven.

“A strong oral health workforce is essential to expanding access to care. That’s why the Delta Dental Foundation invests in dental hygiene programs that prepare the next generation of professionals for meaningful careers, while helping meet the need for care in our communities,” said Caryl Russo, Ph.D., President, Delta Dental Foundation. “By investing in people and education today, we’re helping build a stronger dental workforce and healthier communities for the future.”

Additional findings from the 2026 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report include:

Younger adults lead in twice-daily brushing

  • 78% of Gen Z and 74% of Millennial respondents brush twice daily, compared with 69% of Gen X and Boomer respondents.

Preventive dental visits rise

  • Among adults who visited a dentist in 2025, 89% did so for preventive care, up from 84% in 2024.
  • 90% of adults say preventive dental exams are just as important as an annual physical exam, up from 87% in 2025.

Children’s daily oral hygiene habits improve

  • Parents report that 75% of children brush twice daily, up from 67% in 2025.
  • 64% of children floss daily, up from 50% in 2025.

To read the full report and learn more about the research methodology, click here.

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ABOUT THE REPORT

Delta Dental Plans Association commissioned a third-party market research firm, Material Holdings, LLC, to conduct the research that formed the basis of this report. Material conducted the research between January 5 and January 15, 2026, using an email invitation and online surveys of audiences recruited through an opt-in panel:

  • 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 18+
  • 1,000 parents of children ages 12 and under

Geographic distribution quotas were set to ensure reliable representation of the U.S. population. The margin of error is +/- 3%.

ABOUT DELTA DENTAL OF CONNECTICUT

Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. is New Jersey's leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 2.2 million people through contracts with groups and individuals in New Jersey and Connecticut. In Connecticut, Delta Dental of Connecticut, Inc. is a licensed insurer that writes dental and vision coverage on an insured basis, and Delta Dental of New Jersey administers self-funded dental benefit programs.

Offering dental benefits since 1969, Delta Dental of New Jersey's mission is to promote oral health to the greatest number of people by providing accessible dental benefit programs of the highest quality, service, and value. Through its philanthropic arm, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation awards more than $1M in grants annually to support access to dental care and education for underserved children, seniors, veterans, and those with special needs, as well as funds workforce development programs for dental assisting and dental hygiene across New Jersey and Connecticut.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Mannon Lindhorst, MikeWorldWide
(845) 443-9641, mlindhorst@mww.com

Kim Elmore, Delta Dental of New Jersey
(973) 534-9682, kelmore@deltadentalnj.com