In a recent crowdsourcing of ideas to improve the American healthcare system, The Regenstrief Institute, an informatics and healthcare research foundation affiliated with the Indiana University School of Medicine, found that affordability was top of mind and prevention versus treatment was the most common path to affordability.
How does this canvas of ideas and opinion pertain to dental care? Let’s look at our surveys of adults visiting the family dentist. When asked about their expectations for today’s dental visit, the majority focused on prevention and assurance about no dental decay (Chart 1). Very few focused on minimizing costs. Even fewer expressed an interest in cosmetics.
Chart 1
Source: CHX Technologies, on-going surveys of adult dental patients, 2013Given this response, why are many dental practices giving away whitening services? Why don’t dental practices promote health and more preventive care. If and when they do, our survey data show a major impact not only on willingness to pay for more dental care, but also on a willingness to refer the practice to friends and family. Four out of 10 respondents to our waiting room surveys indicate they are compelled to tell others about the Partners in Prevention network.
Source: Ross Perry Prevora Blog
