Dental News - Americans cut down on dental visits

Businesswire

Fri. 2 October 2009

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN, USA: While the economy begins to show signs of a slow recovery, many consumers in the US struggle with financial challenges, some of which could affect their health. A survey released by the American Optometric Association (AOA) revealed that 36 percent of Americans say they are limiting their doctor visits because of the recession.

When asked which doctors they are visiting less, the majority indicated dentist (63 per cent), followed by primary care physician (59 per cent) and eye doctor (52 per cent). Only eight percent indicated that they are sticking to their regular health schedule.

For the fourth year in a row, the AOA’s American Eye-Q survey showed that consumers worry most about losing their vision (43 percent), over their memory (32 percent) or even their ability to walk (12 percent).

“The concept of losing vision appears very concrete to people, which may be why people cut back on other doctor visits first,” said Minnesota Optometric Association (MOA) Board of Trustees member, Dr. Jill Hadler, Bright Eyes Vision Clinic, Otsego, Minnesota. “We know that many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms, so early diagnosis and treatment are critical. We encourage individuals to consider eye and vision care as an integral part of their overall health, so cutting back on any aspect of health care is not a good idea.”

The fourth annual American Eye-Q survey was created and commissioned in conjunction with Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB). From May 21 – 24, 2009, using an online methodology, PSB interviewed 1,000 Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of US general population.

(Edited by Daniel Zimmermann, DTI)

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