Nine in ten Connecticut residents who have visited their dentist since the coronavirus descended on the state this year felt comfortable doing so, according to a new statewide survey. Dental patients most often cited the use of personal protection equipment at the dental office, safety precautions taken, cleanliness of the office, and patient screening protocols as the reason for their confidence.

When asked who they would trust most to communicate that it is safe to visit the dentist, Connecticut residents overwhelmingly indicated that they would most trust assurances from their own dentist’s office. The local health department and the CDC were each cited by about 20% of those surveyed as their preferred choice for such a recommendation, compared with nearly half who indicated they would trust their dentist’s office most.

The pandemic has caused some state residents to delay dental visits, both for routine appointments or if they had specific issues related to their teeth or gums, the survey found.  While 87% of residents indicate they visit a dentist in a typical year, only 63% indicated they had done so in 2020. 

Of those who had not been to the dentist yet this year, two-thirds (65%) indicated they put off a visit for routine preventative work because of COVID-19 pandemic, and one-quarter (25%) said they had issues with their teeth or gums but decided not to go to the dentist due to the pandemic.

Delaying dental work can lead to more serious dental issues, and can potentially impact overall health, according to the Connecticut State Dental Association, which commissioned the statewide survey, conducted October 7-16 by Connecticut-based Spectrum Associates Market Research. 

“Connecticut residents clearly indicated that they appreciate the safety precautions being taken by dental offices, and trust their own dentist to keep them informed as to when it is safe to proceed with an appointment with their dentist,” said Dr.Tam Le, President of the Connecticut State Dental Association. 

“Understandably, some people opted to put off a dental visit due to coronavirus, but many still plan to get to their dentist this year.  To prevent dental issues from escalating into more acute health issues, getting to the dentist remains advisable, so long as safety protocols are observed,” Dr. Le added.

The survey also found little difference in the comfort level of patients whose most recent visit to their dentist’s office came either before or after the arrival of the coronavirus in the state back in early Spring.  Overall, 96% were comfortable before COVID compared with 94% who said they were comfortable at their dental appointment since the coronavirus outbreak.  

About 7 in 10 who went to the dentist prior to COVID-19 indicated they were extremely or very comfortable doing so; for those who visited their dentist in the months since COVID-19, more than 6 in 10 said they were either extremely comfortable or very comfortable at their dentist appointments. 

Regarding safety precautions being taken by dentists to make patients feel comfortable, 52% indicated that personal protection equipment (PPE) was the primary reason, 36% indicated safety precautions, such as limiting the number of people in the office, or having people wait in their cars rather than the office waiting room, and an equal number – 23% - cited either cleanliness or patient screening protocols, such as temperature checks.

While in a typical year 13% of those surveyed said they don’t visit a dentist, so far in 2020, triple that number – 37% - have yet to do so.  Just over half of the individuals surveyed said they anticipate going to the dentist before the end of the year. Among those who do not plan to do so, not expecting to need any dental services (62%) was identified more often as a reason than was a concern about COVID-19 (43%).

The public opinion survey included 407 Connecticut residents age 25 and older; half were male and half were female.  The age ranges of respondents were consistent with Connecticut’s age demographics, and more than 9 in 10 indicated they currently have, or have had, dental insurance.  The survey is at a 95% confidence level with a +/- 5% margin of error.

About the CSDA
The Connecticut State Dental Association is a statewide, professional membership organization representing Connecticut licensed dentists. CSDA members are committed to protecting the health and well-being of people of all ages. CSDA has a statewide membership of approximately 1,800 members, licensed dentists in Connecticut. The CSDA supports legislation that protects the high quality of dental care that Connecticut residents receive, and sponsors statewide public outreach programs that highlight the importance of good dental health for people of all ages.  Learn more at www.csda.com.