Dentistry News | Dental Jobs | Dentist Forum | CPD Education
Dental news |
 |
RSS Feed | View by: Most Recent | Most Popular | Most Discussed |
Patients switched on to the value of dental care
16th Apr 2009
A survey reveals that 89% of the public understand poor dental health could impact on overall general health.
While 72% of patients would not consider delaying a dental appointment, the figures suggest that some of them are willing to risk our health – with 13% admitting to delaying or even cancelling a routine check-up because of the recession.
This suggests that 6 million* adults are delaying dental check-ups because of pressure on finances.
The survey, commissioned by the dental payment plan specialist Denplan, also reveals:
• 88% of patients know routine dental care is important
• 87% of patients are happy with the dental care they receive from their dentist
• 84% said their dentist took time to discuss preventive dental care measures with them, as well as making necessary recommendations (47% at every appointment and 37% occasionally)
Commenting on the survey results, Denplan managing director, Steve Gates said: ‘With all that's going on at the moment regarding the economy, notwithstanding the current changes to NHS dentistry, it is extremely encouraging that as a nation we recognise that regular dental visits, checkups and good dental hygiene habits not only help maintain good oral health but good general health as well.
‘We also know from other research that patients on payment plans are least likely to cancel or delay, suggesting that budgeting for our dental treatment is favoured over pay-as-you-go when prioritising household expenditure during the credit crunch.'
*2001 Census UK adult population is 47,031,355
Rate this story
Comments
