Thirty percent of dentists reported their safety being threatened by a patient, according to a new report from the American Dental Association.
The American Dental Association compiled the results from its "Dentist Trend Report" survey and "Consumer Trend Report" survey for its 2024 "Communications Trend Report." The report aims to identify emerging issues for the dental industry and help improve communication between dentists, the ADA and other dental organization decision makers.
The "Dentist Trend Report" survey was conducted between March and April with 560 respondents. The "Consumer Trend Report" survey was conducted in March with more than 1,000 consumers throughout the U.S.
Four things to know from the report:
1. The report highlights increasingly aggressive behavior from patients since the pandemic.
2. Fifty-one percent of dentists said they encounter aggressive patients in their office, with 13% of responding dentists saying it happens "often."
3. Dentists working at FQHCs, in faculty roles or DSO settings reportedly experience aggressive patient behavior significantly more than other practice settings.
4. Here are four ways dentists say they handle aggressive patients:
- Ask them to leave, seek service elsewhere
- Diffuse with empathy and patience
- Remain calm, respectful and professional
- Accommodate as much as possible