Survey Finds Most Americans Unaware of Oral-Systemic Link

A new national survey reveals a significant gap between how much Americans value their oral health and how much they understand the connection between their mouth and their body. The survey, conducted in partnership by Procter & Gamble (P&G) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), found that while the vast majority of Americans say they care about oral health, almost none associate it with their overall physical well-being — a disconnect that dental practices are uniquely positioned to address.

This post is part of our Dental Bytes eNewsletter 2026 hub, where you can access each monthly issue.

What the Survey Found

The survey polled 2,052 American adults between April 3 and April 14, 2026. Key findings include:

• 76% of Americans say they are personally motivated to take care of their oral health.
• Yet only 3% of respondents associate oral health with whole-body health — despite the well-documented connections between oral health and systemic conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia.
• 44% of Americans reported they had never heard of any connection between oral health and cardiovascular disease.
• 80% of survey respondents said that understanding the oral-systemic connection would make taking care of their oral health feel more important.

The survey was conducted by Ipsos on behalf of P&G and the AAFP as part of a broader public education initiative on preventive oral health care.

Why This Matters for Dental Practices

These findings represent both a challenge and an opportunity for dental teams. The challenge is clear: most patients don’t understand why their oral health matters beyond avoiding cavities and bad breath. The opportunity is equally significant: when patients learn about the oral-systemic connection, 80% say it makes them more motivated to prioritize their oral care.

Dental practices are the natural setting for this education. Patients who visit the dentist regularly trust their dental team for oral health guidance. With a few well-placed talking points during hygiene appointments, dental teams can help close this knowledge gap and strengthen patients’ commitment to preventive care.

The research on oral-systemic connections is robust. Poor oral health — particularly untreated periodontal disease — has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, poorly controlled diabetes, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and other systemic conditions. Dental professionals have an important role in helping patients understand these links as part of a whole-health approach to care.

Oral-Systemic Talking Points for Your Dental Team

Consider incorporating these evidence-based messages into patient communications and hygiene appointments:

• Research has found associations between periodontal (gum) disease and cardiovascular disease. Keeping gums healthy is part of caring for your heart.
• Diabetes and gum disease have a two-way relationship: poorly controlled blood sugar can worsen gum disease, and gum disease can make it harder to control blood sugar.
• Regular dental visits and consistent home oral hygiene routines are a form of preventive healthcare — not just cosmetic maintenance.
• If patients have medical conditions like heart disease or diabetes, their dental care is relevant to their overall treatment team.

Brief, clear patient-facing language like this can shift how patients think about their oral health — and research shows they want this information.

Quick Summary

• A 2026 P&G/AAFP survey of 2,052 Americans found only 3% associate oral health with whole-body health.
• 44% had never heard of any oral-cardiovascular connection; 80% said learning about it would increase their motivation to care for their teeth and gums.
• Dental teams are well-positioned to educate patients about the oral-systemic connection during hygiene visits.
• Brief, clear language about gum disease and systemic conditions can meaningfully increase patient motivation for preventive care.

Related OSHA Review Resources

• Dental Bytes eNewsletter 2026 Hub
• OSHA Review Compliance Program

About OSHA Review, Inc.
Since 1992, OSHA Review, Inc. has supported dental professionals with regulatory compliance resources, infection control guidance, continuing education, sterilizer monitoring, surface disinfectant products, and dosimetry monitoring services. For more information, visit oshareview.com or call 800-555-6248.

This post is part of the Dental Bytes eNewsletter 2026 series. Visit the hub to access all monthly updates.