June is a jam packed month honoring men, from Father’s Day to Men’s Health Month! Not only do we celebrate all the wonderful male role models during this month, but it’s also a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of preventive healthcare. While many healthcare conversations focus on annual physicals and screenings, routine dental care is an area where many men tend to fall behind.

For dental practices, understanding why some patients delay appointments can help improve communication strategies, strengthen patient relationships and encourage more consistent preventive care.

Why do men delay dental visits?

Life gets busy for everyone, but research has consistently shown that men are less likely than women to seek preventive healthcare services, like annual dental care. Not only are men visiting the dentist less, but research also suggests that men are more deliberate with their appointments, and visit the dentist mainly for acute problems rather than check-ups. Studies show around 60% of adult men visit a dentist annually, compared to around 67% of adult women.

• “I’m too busy right now”: For many men, healthcare often falls behind work, family obligations and other responsibilities. Whether they’re managing demanding careers, involved with their kids or their own sports activities, tackling home improvement projects or simply juggling busy schedules, preventive appointments can feel like something that can always wait until the next month. The problem? Next month can quickly become next year. For dental practices, this highlights the importance of making scheduling as convenient as possible through online booking, text reminders and flexible appointment options.
• The problem isn’t urgent yet: Many men tend to approach healthcare reactively rather than proactively. If something isn’t causing pain, discomfort or interfering with daily life, it may not feel like a priority. Routine checkups can be viewed as an option rather than essential. This mindset isn’t unique to dentistry. Studies have shown that men are generally less likely to seek preventive healthcare services across the board, with men being one-third less likely to seek preventive care services than women, resulting in years’ worth of healthcare neglect.
• “Tough it out” mentality: Often times from a young age, men receive messages that encourage pushing through discomfort. While those traits can be positive in many situations, they can also contribute to putting health needs on the back burner. A minor sensitivity or missed cleaning may simply not feel significant enough to warrant taking time away from work or other responsibilities. Research has also pointed to a certain level of shame or embarrassment regarding lack of oral health habits that appears more present in men over women. As a result, some men wait until a problem becomes impossible to ignore before scheduling an appointment.

Common dental health issues in men

Given the prevalence of delayed dental care in men, studies suggest that men may also be at greater risk for certain oral health concerns.

• Periodontal disease: Men are generally more likely to develop gum disease than women. Because early stages of gum disease often cause little to no discomfort, it can go unnoticed until symptoms become more severe. This paired with the higher likelihood of men delaying annual check up appointments can make them more susceptible. One study also examined the differing stress levels and immune responses between men and women, suggesting these chemical differences may play a large part as well.
• Oral cancer and tooth decay: Men are significantly more likely to develop oral cancer compared to women. Historically, men have used tobacco products at higher rates than women, increasing the risk of staining, tooth loss or oral cancer. Additionally, occupational factors like exposure to certain chemicals or pollutants (more common in industries known to predominantly employ men) can have a major impact on this risk.

The bottom line: For many men, skipping a routine dental visit or developing oral health concerns isn’t necessarily an intentional decision. It’s often the result of busy schedules, competing priorities and even genetic predispositions. By understanding these behaviors and the “why” behind them, dental practices can continue to remember that patient engagement isn’t one size fits all.