DentalInsurance.com has released survey results that illuminate why patients change dentists. The survey included 2,000 adults who were asked to rank issues that would prompt them to change dentists.
Nearly 54% of respondents had at least one concern that would cause them to change dentists. The primary factor was a dentist being out of network, according to DentalInsurance.com, an online marketplace for dental plans.
The survey also highlighted the following:
- Women were more likely than men to state that a dentist being out of network was a reason to change (34.1% compared to 26.5%).
- Women were more likely than men to change dentists due to criticism from their dentist regarding their teeth and oral health (14.3% compared to 7.1%).
- Women were more likely than men to switch dentists to cut costs (12.6% compared to 8.3%).
The survey also revealed that patient sensitivity to price was highest in the Western U.S. and lowest in the Midwest. Surprisingly, only 7.5% of respondents cited lack of sedation in dental procedures as a reason for changing dentists.
"Many dental practices are still suffering from the lower patient volume and lost revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, making customer retention all the more important for their financial stability," survey analyst Kev Coleman said in a statement. "The results of this nationwide survey provide an important guide for dentists' efforts to keep their existing clients."
