Pinched by the recession, Americans have found their dentists more expendable than other doctors, according to a survey by the American Optometric Association (AOA).
The poll found that 36% of Americans are cutting back on visits to doctors. When asked which doctors they are visiting less, the majority indicated dentist (63%), followed by primary care physician (59%) and eye doctor (52%). Only 8% indicated that they are sticking to their regular health schedule.
According to the survey, when it comes to sticking to a regular health schedule, Hispanics are affected the most by the economy. Almost half (49%) indicated they are visiting doctors less often, compared with African-Americans (36%) and Caucasians (33%).
The survey showed that 63% of Hispanics are limiting dentist visits and 53% are cutting back on eye doctor appointments.
The fourth annual American Eye-Q survey was created and commissioned in conjunction with Penn, Schoen, and Berland Associates (PSB). From May 21-24, 2009, using an online methodology, PSB interviewed 1,000 Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of the U.S. general population. (Margin of error at 95% confidence level.)
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