Is Dichotomization into Regular versus Irregular Dental Attenders Valid? A Qualitative Analysis

Area of Science:

• Dental Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Qualitative Health Research

Background:

• Understanding patient dental visiting behavior is crucial for effective oral healthcare delivery.
• Previous research has explored planned versus problem-based dental visits, but a nuanced understanding of patient behavior patterns is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and identify distinct patterns of dental visiting behavior beyond a simple dichotomy.
• To understand the factors influencing these patterns and their implications for dental policy.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of two qualitative studies involving opportunistic and in-depth interviews.
• Data collected from 43 individuals attending urgent dental care and 25 individuals attending general dental practices.

Main Results:

• Four distinct patterns of dental visiting were identified: Accepting and Active Monitoring, Ambivalent and Active Problem-based.
• Patient behavior patterns were relatively stable but could change. Service-related factors influenced attendance, particularly for Ambivalent Problem-based visitors.
• Active Problem-based visitors consciously chose emergency-only care, devaluing preventive visits.

Conclusions:

• Dental visiting behavior is dynamic and influenced by the dental system in an ecological manner.
• Service-related factors interact with patient behavior, potentially widening health inequalities.
• The complexity of these patterns challenges the implementation of risk-based recall policies in dentistry.