There has been a longtime stigma about avoiding the dentist but in recent years, more and more individuals are opting to dodge their dentist altogether. Whether it’s due to dentophobia, cost, or time concerns, almost half of insured Americans are skipping dental visits.
Unfortunately, in the past few years as the pandemic hindered routine care and social media platforms such as TikTok emerged, patients are now being influenced and attempting DIY dental work at home. These attempts at cosmetic dentistry and orthodontic procedures include using common household items, such as cutlery, glue, and nail files to change the shape of the teeth, among other dangerous trends.
Many people don’t realize that ignoring oral health or attempting at-home treatments can have a detrimental impact on overall physical health, as well. There is a strong correlation between dental health and overall wellness, as reports show a negative relationship between poor oral health and cardiovascular health, diabetes, mental health, bone disease, and pregnancy.
As dentists, it is our responsibility to understand why there is an increase in patients skipping out on important care and where we can make effective changes to bring them back.
Why are so many people avoiding their dentist?
Treatments requiring multiple return visits
Often, dental procedures such as implants, fillings, and removals can take a minimum of two appointments. Just like dentists, the average American seeking dental work is a busy person with many different priorities. The hassle of driving back and forth to the dentist’s office, taking time off work, and potentially arranging childcare for something that is uncomfortable, painful, and expensive prevents them from scheduling appointments.
Paperwork and cost
Since most of the paperwork and insurance materials are complicated and often require time on the phone, many people choose to avoid the process entirely. There are also high costs associated with dental work and many find that even with insurance, dental procedures are not affordable.
Overall insecurity
Many patients suffer from different dental fears and anxieties that keep them from routine work, including the fear of being judged for the condition of their teeth. While dental anxiety around having cavities or receiving unwanted news at the dentist has been prevalent for years, anxieties around being judged or finding something wrong has been exacerbated by the pandemic since many people had to skip their normal dental visits.
How can we bring our patients back?
As the most prominent driving factor for people skipping out on dental work is the inconvenience and multiday treatment plants, dentists can begin upgrading to modern technology to complete work on-site and in one day to reduce the number of return appointments patients must commit to. This type of technology includes 3D intraoral scanning, 3D printing, AI diagnostic scans, laser-assisted treatment, sedation dentistry, and dental implants. Implementing the latest technology will also increase productivity and profitability per patient, along with increasing a patient's peace of mind that their smile is not being outsourced.
As well, the administrative aspect of dental paperwork needs to be streamlined. Providing online forms patients can fill out ahead of time and having all insurance options online will help accelerate patient onboarding and processing, and improve the overall patient experience. Adopting a digital administrative approach also allows staff members to work more efficiently and quickly, reducing the potential for delayed appointments and a practice that is hours behind.
As an industry, we must begin integrating new protocols and standards to provide a level of care that meets today's consumer demand. Staying on top of trends, understanding the latest technological advances, and continuously improving overall practice processes will allow patients to feel more comfortable coming back to the dentist and improving their overall health.
