Delta Dental Plans Association's 2024 Original Tooth Fairy Poll found that tooth fairy giving dropped for the first time in five years.
The annual poll is released in recognition of National Tooth Fairy Day Aug. 22 and provides insight into dental hygiene habits and education for children. The poll was conducted between Jan. 3 and Jan. 17 with 1,000 parents of children ages 6 to 12.
Delta Dental said the poll results usually mirror the overall direction of the economy, including trends from Standard & Poor's 500 Index. However, the value of a lost tooth has done the opposite since 2023. The average value of a single lost tooth decreased 6% over the past year despite the S&P 500 experiencing a 20% increase during the same period.
The poll found that the average value of a single lost tooth declined from $6.23 to $5.84 over the past year. The average value for a first lost tooth specifically dropped from $7.29 to $7.09 over the past year.