Cosmetic Dentistry and the Media’s Effect on Patients: Survey

In our most recent survey, we asked dentists if increased media hype has led to more patients seeking cosmetic dental procedures. Just over half (56%) of our respondents said yes, the media has influenced their patients. The remaining 44%, on the other hand, didn’t feel that media exposure changed their patients’ desires for aesthetic dentistry.

Said one dentist of his patients: “They are very interested – until they find out how much it costs!” Another commented, “I don’t necessarily use the products that are featured on the shows, but it opens the discussion to what I do offer.”

Here are a few other comments from our dentists:

• “Great. I wish these shows were on all year round.”
• “Brief interest that quickly faded away.”
• “As usual, the media is deceptive and misleading.”
• “Except for the shows that put forth a negative image, the exposure has been helpful.“
• “I can’t wait to see something on the Simpsons about cosmetic dentistry. That’s where it belongs.”

Post your own comments below, or check out the full results of our cosmetic dentistry and the media survey.