Review of attendance behaviour

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Public Health

Background:

• Frequent dental check-ups are linked to better oral health outcomes.
• Many individuals delay dental visits until pain or problems arise, neglecting preventive care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore strategies for increasing dental attendance among non-attenders.
• To identify effective methods for stimulating regular dental visits.

Main Methods:

• Review of factors influencing dental attendance.
• Analysis of recall strategies and patient communication.

Main Results:

• Patient education on the importance of preventive dental care can motivate attendance.
• Persistent recall messages and personalized communication enhance patient engagement.
• Tailoring recall methods to individual patient needs improves appointment adherence.

Conclusions:

• Proactive patient engagement is crucial for improving dental attendance rates.
• A multi-faceted approach combining education, consistent reminders, and personalized recall is recommended.
• Addressing patient perceptions of need can reduce delayed dental care seeking.