The Tooth Fairy Cuts Back During Economic Downturn

Securian’s Tooth Fairy Poll finds a decrease in the current average “gift” U.S. children receive from the Tooth Fairy. The average of $1.88 per tooth is down from last year’s gift of $2.09 – a 10% decrease, according to a press release.

The poll found Tooth Fairy gift amounts range from a low of five cents to a high of $40 per tooth. Securian says the downward trend in Tooth Fairy gifts appears to be driven by a decrease in the number of $5 gifts and an increase in $1 gifts.

“It seems the Tooth Fairy’s not immune to the economy – but she still did much better than the stock market,” said Dani Fjelstad, chief financial officer for DeCare Dental, administrator for Securian Dental plans, in the announcement. “Compared to the Tooth Fairy’s 10% decrease, the Dow Jones decreased 32% over the same measurement period, and global indices performed even worse.”