5 Reasons Why People Do Not Visit The Dentist

There are 5 reasons people do not go to the dentist: Fear, Time, Money, No sense of urgency and a lack of trust in the dentist.

There are several different fears, all of which result in people not taking care of their mouths. The worst fear is the result of a bad previous experience at which the patient was hurt in some way. There is also the fear that somehow the patient will be made to feel guilty for not taking care of their mouth. Patient's fear that no one will listen to them or try to force them to have treatment done that they do not want. There is also the fear of the cost of treatment.

People are very busy and do not make the time to visit the dentist which results in ignored unhealthy conditions.

Of course money is a barrier to treatment if no attempt is made to come up with a plan that fits the patient's budget. Treatment can be done over time or in phases with the treatment being finished in a few months to several years depending on the severity of the patient's dental problems.

No sense of urgency really means that nothing hurts so why should I go to the dentist? Unfortunately you could have teeth that are ready to abscess or severe gum disease and have no pain. Then when the pain and swelling start you have an expensive and extensive course of treatment .

A lack of trust in the dentist is either because you are a new patient and have no experience with the dentist or because sometimes there is no way for you to actually see your problem and you have to trust the dentist's opinion.

I feel these 5 reasons can be overcome with honest communication between the dentist and the patient. The dentist and the patient need to come up with a plan that will result in the patient keeping their teeth for a lifetime.