90% of voters support dental Medicare benefits: Survey

Nine in 10 voters support Medicare dental benefits, according to a national poll conducted by the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.

The organization partnered with Marketing for Change to create this poll, which used a mixed-methods approach and included an online survey of 1,027 likely voters in July and August 2026. 

Here are seven things to know from the survey:

1. Ninety-six percent of Democrats, 86% of Republicans and 92% of Independents support Medicare dental. 
2. Among voters who did not express support, most are either undecided or have no opinion, rather than outright opposition.
3. More than three-quarters of voters believe that the lack of dental coverage through Medicare is a “crisis” or ” major problem.”
4. Providing dental services for all veterans garnered support from 96% of Democrats and 90% of Republicans. 
5. More than 9 million veterans are eligible for medical care through the Veterans Health Administration, but only 26% are eligible for dental care. 
6. Treating gum disease among just 25% of veterans could save nearly $3 billion annually in healthcare costs for heart disease and diabetes.
7. Voters also support incentivizing dentists to accept all types of insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, with 95% of Democrats and 80% of Republicans supporting the change.