Detailed results of an online survey conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology in 1999...

Results of Member Survey: Patient Perceptions and Fear

This online survey was conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology in 1999.

CHICAGO – November 23, 1999 – Below are responses of the 164 AAP members who participated in the survey.

  1. What percent of your patients indicate that they are fearful about receiving periodontal treatment prior to treatment?
      None0%
      Less than 10% 7%
      Between 11 to 20% 7%
      Between 21 to 30% 12%
      Between 31 to 40% 15%
      Between 41 to 50% 12%
      Between 51 to 60% 9%
      Between 61 and 70% 13%
      Between 71 and 80% 10%
      Between 81 and 90% 8%
      Between 91 and 100%       7%
  2. What percent of your patients who indicate they are fearful delay or turn down periodontal treatment because of their fear?
      None 3%
      Less than 10% 38%
      Between 11 to 20% 23%
      Between 21 to 30% 12%
      Between 31 to 40% 12%
      Between 41 to 50% 4%
      Between 51 to 60% 5%
      Between 61 and 70% 1%
      Between 71 and 80% 1%
      Between 81 and 90% 0%
      Between 91 and 100%       1%
  3. What are patients most fearful of? (Please rank your top 3 answers, with 1 being what patients are the most fearful of)
      Feeling pain #1
      Needles #2
      Unsuccessful results       #3
      Equipment noise
      Appearance during procedure
           (i.e. missing teeth during preparation for dental implants)
      Anesthesia
      Other
  4. Following treatment, what percent of your patients mention that periodontal treatment caused them extreme discomfort or pain?
      None 2%
      Less than 10% 74%
      Between 11 to 20% 11%
      Between 21 to 30% 4%
      Between 31 to 40% 3%
      Between 41 to 50% 1%
      Between 51 to 60% 1%
      Between 61 and 70% 1%
      Between 71 and 80% 2%
      Between 81 and 90% 0
      Between 91 and 100%       1%
  5. When patients are fearful, do you find you become more stressed about performing the treatment?
      No 18%
      Somewhat more stressed       62%
      Much more stressed 20%
  6. Are your patients more or less fearful than your patients were 10 years ago?
      More 3%
      Less 33%
      About the same       42%
      Unsure 22%
  7. Do you find that your male or female patients are more often fearful about periodontal treatment?
      Male 47%
      Female 11%
      Equally fearful 41%
      None of my patients are fearful       1%
  8. What age group do you think is the most fearful of periodontal treatment?
      Youngsters 5%
      Teens 6%
      Those in their 20s to 30s 29%
      Those in their 40s to 50s       56%
      Those 60 and older 4%
  9. What do you think is the most common origin of your patients' fear?
      The media (including TV and movies) 5%
      Family and friends 42%
      A personal bad experience
      more than 10 years ago
      42%
      A personal bad experience
      within the last 10 years
      7%
      Other 4%
  10. What percentage of the treatments that you perform in your office do you believe actually cause great discomfort or pain to patients?
      None 4%
      Less than 10% 63%
      Between 11 to 20% 17%
      Between 21 to 30% 7%
      Between 31 to 40% 4%
      Between 41 to 50% 2%
      Between 51 to 60% 1%
      Between 61 and 70% 0
      Between 71 and 80% 0
      Between 81 and 90% 0
      Between 91 and 100%       2%
  11. Have you implemented specific procedures to help patients deal with their fear during treatment?
      Yes       84%
      No 16%
  12. Have you implemented any new procedures during the past three years that make periodontal treatment less painful for patients?
      Yes       59%
      No 41%
  13. Have you received any special training on dealing with patient fear and anxiety?
      Yes       52%
      No 48%

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is is an 8,000-member professional organization for periodontists - specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also dentistry’s experts in the treatment of oral inflammation and receive three additional years of specialized training following dental school. Periodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.

Find out if you are at risk for periodontal diseases by taking the Academy’s risk assessment test. Referral to a periodontist in your area is available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP's website at www.perio.org.

For more information, contact the AAP Public Affairs Department at meg@perio.org or 312/573-3242.

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