Delta Dental of Arizona Reports Tooth Fairy Giving Declines, Bucking Trend of Recent Years

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (August 13, 2024) — Like so many of us, the Tooth Fairy is reeling in her spending this year, at least so far. Leading up to National Tooth Fairy Day on Aug. 22, 2024, new findings from Delta Dental of Arizona’s Original Tooth Fairy Poll® revealed the average value of a single lost tooth during the past year declined by 8% from $5.63 to $5.18. This represents the first year-over-year decline in Tooth Fairy giving in several years. However, the new going rate for a lost tooth is well above Arizona’s 2022 average of $4.79.

“Delta Dental has tracked U.S. Tooth Fairy giving trends since 1998 as a timely way to spotlight the importance of children’s oral health,” said Dr. Heather Schneider, dental director at Delta Dental of Arizona. “Even with a smaller reward, the Tooth Fairy is a fun way to spark conversations about good oral hygiene. As baby teeth fall out and adult teeth come in, it’s important for children to learn how to care for their teeth and understand their role in maintaining a healthy smile.”

According to Dr. Schneider, The Original Tooth Fairy Poll® in Arizona continues to deviate from market trends in 2024.

“Historically, the Original Tooth Fairy Poll® has mirrored the economy’s overall direction, tracking with the trends of Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. In Arizona, however, the average value of a lost tooth went in a different direction in both 2023 and 2024,” said Dr. Schneider.

This year, the average value of a single lost tooth ($5.18) decreased by 8%, while the S&P 500 experienced a 30% increase during the same period. This is a similar trend to 2023, when the average value of a tooth increased by 18% to $5.63 while the S&P 500 experienced an 10% year-over-year decline.

“Perhaps the Tooth Fairy is minding her pennies given rampant inflation over the past year – with prices for food rising, and the cost of other consumer items (minus energy) ticking up,” said Dr. Schneider. “No matter the exact dollar figure she gives, the Tooth Fairy is a great way to get kids excited about oral health, teaching them that a healthy mouth supports a healthy body. The Tooth Fairy can reinforce good habits with a special note or gifts like fun toothbrushes, unique floss or sugar-free gum. Sharing this message early sets children up for a lifetime of better health.

Additional Original Tooth Fairy Poll® findings:

• 92% parents of kids ages 6-12 acknowledge they play the role of the Tooth Fairy in their homes – but 25% admit the Tooth Fairy has forgotten to visit their child in the past.
• 52% of parents feel the Tooth Fairy visiting their home gives their children something to be excited about.
• 43% of parents believe the visits help foster imagination.
• 30% of children head to bed early on the nights they have lost a tooth in anticipation of the Tooth Fairy
• 35% of parents say the Tooth Fairy’s visits provide comfort to their children after losing a tooth
• 19% of parents say the Tooth Fairy helps teach their children about the value of money.
• The average value of a first tooth is $7.48, which is down 27 cents from 2023, but still $2.30 higher than the typical tooth receives this year ($5.18).
• 13% have asked the Tooth Fairy for more money!

For tips and articles to help parents and caregivers take care of their family’s oral health, vision health and overall health, visit the Delta Dental of Arizona Blog at http://www.deltadentalazblog.com.

About the poll

The Original Tooth Fairy Poll® was conducted between March 12, 2024 and March 25, 2024, among 300 parents (living in Arizona) of children ages 6 to 12, using an email invitation and an online survey.  Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results.  In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all personas in the universe represented by the sample. The margin of error for any subgroups will be slightly higher.