Patient no-shows and cancellations continue to be the largest barrier preventing dental practice schedules from being 100 percent full in May, according to a survey from the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute.
The survey was taken as part of the ADA's monthly "Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry" report for the week of May 15.
Patient no-shows and cancellations were also the top barrier to full practice schedules in April.
Here are the factors 807 respondents said prevented full practice schedules:
- Patient no-shows and cancellations less than 24 hours before their appointment: 81.3 percent
- Patient no-shows and cancellations more than 24 hours before their appointment: 46.3 percent
- Not enough patients making appointments: 39.9 percent
- Trouble filling vacant staff positions: 33.7 percent
- Other: 6.2 percent
- COVID-19 safety protocols: 3.5 percent