Dental patients reported that they highly value a clean, safe environment and appreciate discussions about proper infection control methods, according to survey results recently published by the Dental Assisting National Board.
Sharing how the office maintains patient safety may help dental teams strengthen their relationships with patients, the authors wrote.
“Dental patients care about cleanliness and safety at the dental office -- and that’s a great opportunity for dental practices to communicate to patients and strengthen relationships,” according to a news release published August 25.
The survey, which was conducted in August, gathered responses from over 1,000 U.S. adults. Of those surveyed, 63% reported visiting a dentist within the past year. Participants represented a broad mix of demographics, including age, geographic locations, and household income, according to the report.
Nearly all respondents (98%) said it is important that dental tools are properly cleaned before they are used on another patient. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of a thoroughly cleaned treatment area. Encouragingly, 76% of adults said they feel comfortable visiting the dentist, and 94% expressed confidence that their dental office follows proper cleaning protocols.
However, 57% still worry about germs in the dental office. About 1 in 4 patients reported that their dentist had explained how the treatment area is kept clean and safe. Most patients, however, said they would welcome these conversations, according to the report.
Dental teams can strengthen patient relationships by proactively sharing details about their safety measures. Actions such as displaying staff certifications or training records can increase transparency and build greater confidence in infection control practices.
“Turn your infection control practices into an education and marketing opportunity with these simple steps of showing and telling patients all that you do for them,” the authors wrote.
