Young adults are skipping dental visits at record rates. Learn how sedation dentistry and data-driven, creative strategies help dental professionals reduce anxiety, improve engagement, and restore preventive care among Millennials and Gen Z.
By Ayesha Khan, MD, MBA
Across the United States, dental professionals are confronting a clinically significant trend: young adults aged 18 to 34 utilize dental services less frequently than any other adult cohort. Findings cited in Frontiers in Oral Health indicate that nearly one-third of U.S. adults in this age group report not having visited a dentist within the past year—a higher proportion than among middle-aged and older adults. This decline coincides with key life transitions, including loss of parental dental insurance, entry into the workforce, increasing financial strain, and heightened anxiety, fear, or misinformation surrounding dental care.
Observed among both Millennials (born approximately 1981–1996) and Generation Z (born approximately 1997–2012), this pattern carries implications beyond oral health. Reduced preventive care is associated with elevated systemic disease risk, higher long-term healthcare costs, and increased treatment complexity. In response, dental professionals are adopting targeted, evidence-based strategies to reengage young adults and reestablish preventive dental care as a routine component of adult health behavior.
Role of Anxiety and Digital Misinformation in Delayed Dental Care
Psychological barriers play a substantial role in delayed dental care among younger adults. Statistics show that fear and anxiety affect a substantial segment of adults—upwards of 30–80%—and can be a dominant reason for delayed or avoided visits. One survey indicated that about 41% of people have openly admitted to postponing dental care due to fear.
Among younger cohorts, anxiety is particularly pronounced. A survey by the American Association of Endodontists found that nearly 48% of Gen Z and 46% of Millennials fear procedures such as root canals. Compounding this issue, many struggle to distinguish credible dental information from online myths.
Online misinformation—propagated via social media and non-expert influencers—frequently exaggerates pain and downplays the benefits of preventive care. This amplifies anxiety, contributing to higher rates of postponement and avoidance. These trends directly impact oral health outcomes; anxious patients are more likely to show up only when pain becomes debilitating, leading to advanced caries, periodontal disease, and ultimately more complex treatments.
Is Sedation the Key?
Sedation dentistry encompasses a range of techniques designed to alleviate anxiety, improve comfort, and enable patients to undergo necessary treatment without overwhelming stress. From nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for mild sedation to oral and IV sedation for deeper comfort, these options empower patients who might otherwise decline care.
While sedation doesn’t cure anxiety in the behavioral therapy sense, it removes a significant barrier: fear of pain, discomfort, or loss of control. Surveys suggest that 42% of patients express interest in sedation during dental treatment. In clinical practice, sedation can markedly increase treatment acceptance, reduce cancellations, and improve patient trust. Patients who experience sedation are often more likely to complete care plans and return for regular follow-up, breaking the cycle of avoidance that can lead to poor outcomes.
Integrating Sedation Dentistry Into Outreach and Education
To effectively reach Gen Z and Millennials, dental professionals must go beyond the operatory and into digital and community spaces where misinformation and fear propagate.
1. Tailored Digital Education
Younger patients turn to online platforms for health information. As a profession, we must meet them there with accurate, relatable content about sedation:
- Short videos explaining how nitrous oxide works and what patients can expect.
- Infographics peeling back myths about sedation and pain.
- Testimonials from peers in the Gen Z and Millennial cohorts who have had positive sedation experiences.
By normalizing sedation and demystifying it with evidence and transparency, we help reduce the anticipatory anxiety that drives avoidance.
2. Community Outreach Programs
Traditional outreach (e.g., campus visits, health fairs) tailored to younger audiences should include segments on managing dental anxiety. Partnering with schools, universities, and community centers to offer anxiety-focused dental education can make care feel more accessible.
3. Practice-Level Communication
Front office and clinical teams should be trained to explicitly ask about dental fear, then guide conversations toward sedation as an option. Including sedation choices in patient intake forms and pre-visit checklists normalizes the conversation and reduces stigma.
A Call to Action for Dental Professionals
Incorporating sedation dentistry into outreach and education strategies is not a luxury—it’s increasingly a necessity in an age defined by heightened awareness, digital influence, and generational differences in healthcare engagement. As dental professionals, we must integrate clinical expertise with culturally competent outreach and modern communication strategies.
By adopting creative, evidence-informed approaches, we can reverse the decline in engagement, reinforce the value of regular dental attendance, and improve the oral health outcomes of the next generation.
References:
- Yu, Y. H. (2025). Access to oral health care and its social determinants across the lifespan in the United States. Frontiers in Oral Health, 6, 1619983.
- Chidley, E., & Burns-Nader, S. (2024). Exploring young adults’ fears related to healthcare and dental procedures. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 13(5), 1830-1836.
- https://www.aae.org/specialty/new-survey-finds-gen-z-millennials-most-vulnerable-to-online-dental-misinformation/
- https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/september/september-jada-finds-dental-fear-still-prevalent-in-us
- Heyman, R. E., Daly, K. A., Aladia, S., Harris, S. L., Roitman, N. A., Kim, A. C., & Slep, A. M. S. (2025). A census-matched survey of dental fear and fear-treatment interest in the United States. The Journal of the American Dental Association, 156(9), 696-705.
Author: Ayesha Khan, MD, MBA, is a registered physician, former research fellow, and enthusiastic blogger. With a wide range of articles published in renowned newspapers and scientific journals, she covers topics such as nutrition, wellness, supplements, medical research, and alternative medicine. Currently serving as the Vice President of Social Communications and Strategy at Renaissance, Ayesha brings her expertise and strategic mindset to drive impactful initiatives. Follow her blog for insightful content on healthcare advancements and empower yourself with knowledge.
