Survey Highlights Patients Attitudes Toward Dentistry and Concerns About Infection Control
A new survey from Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Dental Medicine indicates 75 percent of parents are not complying with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommendation to take children to the dentist by age 1.
The survey found that parents in the general population bring their children to the dentist for the first time at the average age of 2½, while parents who fallunder the U.S. poverty threshold bring their children to the dentist for the first time at approximately 3½ years old.
The survey, released today, assesses patients’ attitudes, knowledge and beliefs about dental care for themselves and their children. The paper, titled “Survey Analysis of Parental Awareness and Behaviors Regarding Children’s Dental Care and Dental Infection Control,” is available for download at www.SupportCleanDentistry.com.
The survey also found that recent dental infection control breaches covered in the news media have influenced patient attitudes about cleanliness at the dentist. Of the people who recalled seeing or hearing these news stories (107 people), more than half of them said they have changed their outlook on going to the dentist:
- 41 percent report they are now more attentive to the cleanliness in the dental office.
- 21 percent also claimed to be more nervous about visiting the dentist.
- 14 percent say they now ask their dental professionals more questions about how they clean the dental equipment and office.
- 46 percent report that the news stories did not change their outlook.
For more, please visit: www.SupportCleanDentistry.com.
