Risk perception and risk communication: benefits of dentist-patient discussions.
Experts in risk communication have encouraged dentists to initiate discussions about dental office-related risks with their patients. However, little is known about how often these discussions occur--and even less about their consequences. A survey of 4,061 dental patients explored patients' concerns, the frequency of risk-related discussions and their correlates. Patients who discussed concerns were less fearful about dentistry and more likely to receive dental care often. The study findings highlight the complexities of risk communication.
Gerbert
B
B
Division of Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
Bleecker
T
T
Saub
E
E
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003142:Communication; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology*; D003754:Dental High-Speed Equipment / Q000009:adverse effects; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D012308:Risk Management; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003723:Dental Amalgam