FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 1996
CONTACT:
Jann Ingmire; [email protected]
Chris Martin; [email protected]
312/440-2806
Consumer Reports Survey Finds
Most Americans Very Satisfied with Dental Care
CHICAGO - Most patients are very happy with their dentists and their
dental care, according to a recently released national survey. The
latest issue of Consumer Reports (December 1996) features a report on
dentistry, "Keeping Your Teeth in Shape," which highlights the results
of a survey about dental care. The consumer magazine surveyed 52,000
subscribers and found that the readers overall were very pleased with
their dental care, as eight in 10 reported the care was very good to
excellent. Almost all of the respondents (96 percent) told Consumer
Reports they had confidence in their dentist's technical competence.
The readers were surveyed on the outcome of dental restorative
treatment from 1990 - 1995, including crowns, jackets, new or
replacement fillings, permanent bridges, gum treatments and dentures.
The readers generally gave high marks for the treatment they had
received, with many respondents describing it as excellent or very good.
Three-fourths of the readers surveyed visit their dentist at least
twice a year, but the article states there is room for improvement in
home oral health care by consumers. The survey found that nearly
one-third of the respondents brush their teeth only once a day and less
than half floss daily. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends
brushing at least twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste
and flossing daily with an ADA-accepted floss.
The article also offers helpful information on how to find a dentist,
cosmetic dentistry, the special oral health needs of women, how to
reduce pain and anxiety in the dental office and how to take care of
your teeth.
The Consumer Reports article suggests that dentists and their patients
need to communicate effectively to achieve the best oral health care.
Dentists and consumers should discuss treatment options, costs, pain
control and preventive care. Consumer Reports states that patients
should get more involved in the process because as people are keeping
their own teeth for their lifetimes, good oral health care and
maintenance should be a priority. The ADA recommends that patients
talk to their dentists about their individual oral health care needs for
healthy teeth and gums.
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